In a week with Nottingham Forest having 16 players away on international duty, it was always going to be a strange week.

However, boss Steve Cooper has admitted that this week on the training pitch has been an eye-opener as it's allowed for him to get a closer first-hand look at some U21 talents.

Forest had 10 first-team members training on certain days, with the rest of the training places going to youngsters on the fringes of Cooper's squad.

Despite the lack of players, the Reds boss admitted that the training routine varied in comparison to a usual match week.

"It has been a different feel on the training ground," Cooper says. "It does change the mood and there is less work done in terms of meetings and analysis.

"We try to give the players a break from that because we can be quite intense when it comes to the work we do on the educational and analytical side of things.

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"We try to use the time wisely. We have a different focus for the boys who are here and, hopefully, they get something out of that."

A great chance for Cooper and Forest Although no encounter in the Premier League is an easy one, Saturday afternoon poses a great opportunity for Cooper's side to collect three more points.

The Reds are currently sat on nine points, five clear of the drop zone and five better than this stage last season.

Luton are just outside the relegation zone on four points, with many fans up and down the country tipping Rob Edwards' side to go straight back down this season.