The England international missed last weekend's 1-0 loss to Fulham through suspension, having seen red alongside his manager in the Tricky Trees' 2-2 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion in gameweek five.
Having now served his time on the naughty step, Gibbs-White is expected to thrown straight back into the starting lineup for the visitors, who are only without Ibrahim Sangare (thigh) and Danilo (ankle) due to injury.
Gibbs-White's return could lead to a significant attacking reshuffle from Santo, who also benched Callum Hudson-Odoi and Anthony Elanga for the clash with Fulham, but the duo both came on for the second half.
It would not be surprising to see Taiwo Awoniyi and Nicolas Dominguez make way for Elanga and ex-Chelsea product Hudson-Odoi, while captain Ryan Yates may be demoted for Gibbs-White.
Elliot Anderson would partner James Ward-Prowse in the centre of the park if that is the case; the latter has had a direct hand in four goals in his last five Premier League appearances against Chelsea, two of his own and two assists.
Santo should have no need to alter a backline that has allowed just 18 shots on target this season, though, as Ola Aina, Murillo, Nikola Milenkovic and Alex Moreno shield Matz Sels.
Nottingham Forest possible starting lineup:
Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Moreno; Ward-Prowse, Anderson; Elanga, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Wood
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