Confirmed team news: Kelleher and Milambo start for Brentford against Nottingham Forest | OneFootball

Brentford goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher has been named in the starting XI for the 2025/26 Premier League opener against Nottingham Forest.

The Bees face Nuno Espírito Santo’s side at the City Ground in a 2pm kick-off (BST), live on Sky Sports.

Keith Andrews previously confirmed that late decisions would be made on the availability of Kelleher and German forward Kevin Schade.

The Republic of Ireland international goalkeeper is fit to make his debut for the club alongside fellow summer signing Antoni Milambo, with Schade being named on the bench.

Rico Henry will start a competitive fixture for the first time since the FA Cup third-round tie against Plymouth Argyle in January.

Limited to five substitute appearances last term, the left-back is also named in the starting XI for a top-flight fixture for the first time since September 2023, when he picked up a lengthy injury against Newcastle United.

Igor Thiago, who also saw his 2024/25 campaign severely impacted by injury, starts up front.

Jordan Henderson is named among the substitutes, with club-record signing Dango Ouattara not registered in time to travel to the City Ground.

Nottingham Forest: Sels; Aina, Milenković, Murillo, Williams; Sangaré, Anderson; Ndoye, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Wood

Subs not used: Gunn, Morato, Awoniyi, Jesus, Jota, Yates, Jair, Boly, Abbott

Brentford: Kelleher; Kayode, Collins, van den Berg, Henry; Yarmoliuk, Jensen, Milambo; Carvalho, Thiago, Lewis-Potter

Subs: Valdimarsson, Ajer, Arthur, Hickey, Roerslev, Henderson, Onyeka, Schade, Peart-Harris