Bryan Roy and Stan Collymore, Nottingham Forest’s two big-money stars both were feared for Premiership return to the City Ground against top-of-the-bill Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United. Stan Collymore, the exciting £2.1 million striker whose 25-goal exploits previous season cost the club an extra £350,000, suffered from preseason ankle injury. The player missed the first match of the season and was expected to miss the second game too against Sir Alex’s force.
Nottingham Forest were also missing £2.1 million Dutch international, Bryan Roy because of his hamstring injury. In an enticing game against Ipswich Town, Bryan Roy had limped off with a hamstring injury after scoring the winner. Nottingham had registered 1-0 victory against Ipswich Town in the first match.