Rob Edwards will see how his side used the international break to improve and bounce back after defeats against Burnley and Tottenham Hotspur.

Steve Cooper’s Forest currently sit in mid-table, with their three Premier League defeats coming against Arsenal and both Manchester clubs.

The opposition

Nottingham Forest was promoted through the Championship play-offs in 2022 and survived their first season back in the Premier League last season.

Cooper took Forest from the bottom of the Championship to mid-table in the Premier League in just two seasons when he was appointed after eight games of the 2021/22 season.

After Forest’s impressive win away at Chelsea last month, they have failed to win any of their last four Premier League matches.

Half of Forest’s Premier League goals this season have been headers and half of Forest’s eight goals have also had involvements from substitutes.

Forest have failed to defeat the Hatters in their last four league games – all of which were in the Championship.

Words from Rob

“It’s another tough game, as they all are. Forest is a team that have had a journey over the last 18 months which we would like to emulate a bit of it.

“They got promoted in the same way as us and had a similar start last season as us, finding their feet at the level and took time to adjust.

“They got over the line and comfortably survived in the end, they had nothing to play for on the final day so they did really well.

“We’re really looking forward to the game, it’s a winnable game for us. We’re going into it confident; I feel like we are in really good form as our performances have been strong.”

Watch The Preview with Rob Edwards ahead of our fixture against Forest...

Last meeting

Ten-man Luton Town picked up a crucial Championship victory on the march to the play-offs when we defeated Nottingham Forest on Good Friday in 2022.

Kal Naismith’s first half penalty was the difference between the two sides after Sonny Bradley was sent off and Djed Spence’s goal was ruled out for offside.

Last time out

The Hatters were unfortunate not to get a point against ten-man Tottenham Hotspur at Kenilworth Road.

Micky Van de Ven’s early second half goal broke the deadlock and sent Spurs to the top of the Premier League table after Yves Bissouma was sent off on the stroke of half-time.

Team news

Defender Mads Andersen is facing a lengthy spell out with a hamstring injury after coming off injured in the defeat against Spurs before the international break.

There is better news for Gabe Osho as he will be available for selection for the first time this season.

Amari’i Bell will remain unavailable this weekend, while Jordan Clark, Sambi Lokonga and Dan Potts are still working towards a return.

New signing Andros Townsend could also potentially be selected by manager Rob Edwards at the City Ground.

Officials

The referee for our fixture against Forest will be Sam Barrott, which will be his second ever Premier League game.

31 yellow cards and two red cards have been handed out by Barrott across his eight games this season.

Luton Town last had a game ran by Barrott in January when the Hatters crashed out of the FA Cup with a fourth-round replay defeat at Grimsby Town.

Referee: Sam Barrott

Assistant Referees: Simon Bennett & Daniel Robathan

Fourth Official: Anthony Taylor

VAR: Peter Bankes

AVAR: Gary Beswick