Nottingham Forest face a massive few weeks when domestic football returns this weekend following the international break.
The Reds are at Blackpool on Saturday before a home doubleheader against Coventry and Birmingham on Trentside.
Prior to the international break, some injuries had struck Forest. Steve Cook and Scott McKenna in particular will be sorely missed.
With that in mind, we looked at three players who deserve a chance to shine under Cooper as the season focuses on the business stage.
Richie Laryea
The 27-year-old has proved a bit of a mysterious signing since arriving in January. He’s yet to make a single appearance for Forest and that seems odd.
During the latest international break, he’s achieved something great. The defender has helped Canada reach the World Cup for the first time in 36 years.
As a result, he will be craving some regular game time and with Max Lowe out injured, it’s fair to say he deserves a shot.
Jonathan Panzo
The defender signed from Dijon in the January transfer window and like Laryea, he’s yet to make a first-team appearance for Forest.
With McKenna out injured, Panzo should be the next cab off the rank and he deserves a chance to shine under Cooper.
Forest are far more fluid when they play 3-4-3 and slotting Panzo in on the left of a back-three makes perfect sense.
Cafu
The midfielder has produced some decent performances from the bench in recent weeks. With Philip Zinckernagel missing a gilt-edged chance against Liverpool, perhaps the Portuguese player will earn a shot.
Cafu has showcased his versatility too. He can operate in central midfield or in the hole behind the striker as one of two number 10s deployed by Cooper.
The 29-year-old will want a crack at showing the Forest fans what he’s capable of and on current form, he probably merits one.