Nottingham Forest return to action this weekend as they host newly-promoted Luton Town at the City Ground.

The Reds went four games without a win prior to the international break. It is a run they will be eager to halt against the Hatters.

Ahead of Saturday's clash, Forest head coach Steve Cooper faced the media in his pre-match press conference. Below, we take a look at some of the key points from his briefing.

In the away dugout... Cooper quipped he and Luton manager Rob Edwards "haven't spoken as much this season" as they prepare to go head-to-head Trentside. The pair know each other well. They share the experience of having worked in the England youth set-up earlier in their careers.

Edwards has previously said Cooper's coaching journey was an "inspiration" for him. He also picked the brains of the Reds boss before his team's play-offs final in May.

There will be no room for sentiment on Saturday, however. After the usual handshake before kick-off, Cooper knows his opposite number will be trying to get one over him.

"We know each other well," he smiled. "We haven't spoken as much this season...

"He's a really good guy and a great coach. Apart from the obvious, I know we wish each other well. But at the same time, we're both very professional in what we do and in what we want.

"He's done a brilliant job. I can share that experience of coaching in the Championship and trying to get out of it - it's a difficult challenge.

"However you get out of the league, it's always an achievement and a job well done. That's no different for Rob; he's done brilliantly to get out of the league.

"Big credit to him and his coaching staff for that. But we've got a game at the weekend and we're only focused on ourselves."

Luton test This time 12 months ago, Forest were at the beginning of their (ultimately successful) battle to defy the pundits and beat the drop. It had been a tough start on their return to the top-flight.

It means Cooper has an insight into what will be going through the Hatters' minds eight games into the campaign. They make the trip north having collected four points and with a goal difference of -9 - a similar position to the Reds at the same stage last term.

"There is never a game that doesn't challenge you in the Premier League," Cooper said. "Luton have done incredibly well to get into the Premier League, and we can share that feeling with them from the year before.

"They have got the same amount of points as we had this time last year, and they've got a better goal difference. We know how we felt this time last season; we were really motivated and excited to play games and felt like we could do well. I'm sure Luton will feel the same.

"They have players who can make a difference in the way they play. As always in the Premier League, it's a game where everything needs to be at a really good level.

"We've got to focus on ourselves. Having got everyone back from international duty and not having your normal preparation, we have to make sure we quickly get back up to speed, there's no excuses for that. We want to hit the ground running in the game and try to have the impact we want."

But for the Welshman, it is all about how the defender can keep progressing. And he has a couple of experienced fellow centre-backs, in Willy Boly and Felipe, to help with that.

"It's very early for Murillo," Cooper said, when asked how the Brazilian is handling the hype. "There's no doubt he's had a good last couple of games and I know he's caught the eye a little bit, but for me it's always about what's next.

"When he plays again, hopefully he can play well and build his Premier League experience. He's still a young player, and playing games is always the most important factor in players becoming the player they end up being.

"We do have a nice blend in the squad between youth and experience. We very much encourage the experienced boys to have a voice in the dressing room and in meetings.

"You mentioned Willy, but there's also Felipe. He hasn't featured because of injury, but with speaking the same language (as Murillo) he's been very important. He's sat in a lot of meetings and has explained some things about the Premier League.

"We've got a lot of young players and we want to try to get the programme right for them. We know Murillo has done well, but at the same time we are not going to get too excited. One thing about the culture we have is never to get too high or too low, just take everything as it comes and deal with it in a consistent manner."

Given Forest have a few injury concerns, particularly at full-back, he may get another run-out this weekend. If that is the case, Cooper expects Toffolo to take the approach he always does.

"He's just welcomed his fourth child, so congratulations to him on that. Family and health are always the most important things in life," said the Reds head coach.

"Harry is a very popular guy. He's very much about the team, the club and the greater good. He's very selfless in the way he trains and the way he behaves. He's a really good example of what we want the culture to be - what the culture is, to be honest - at the club.

"He's come on in the last couple of games and had a really good impact, which is what he and any player wants. He doesn't want to just be seen as the nice guy who puts the team first, he wants to be the nice guy who puts the team first and plays in the team. All the players want that. But he has been involved in the last couple of games and done well."