Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers is relishing his side's FA Cup test against Nottingham Forest as he praised the job Steve Cooper is doing at the City Ground.
The two sides face off in the fourth round clash at the City Ground on Sunday which is one of the ties of the round with the East Midlands rivals facing off for the first time since a Championship clash in 2014.
Since then the Foxes have climbed into the Premier League and won the title. Last year banked the FA Cup having beaten Chelsea at Wembley.
Rodgers' side are determined to make a strong defence of the trophy but accepts his side face a serious examination against a Forest side going well under Cooper who is hoping to lead them to a Championship play-off push.
And the former Liverpool boss has been impressed by the work Cooper has carried out at the Reds after succeeding Chris Hughton as head coach in September.
"It’s been a while since these clubs have played," he said.
"It’s a great stadium and should be a brilliant atmosphere.
"They’ve done very well, Steve’s done a brilliant job. It’s going to be a tough examination.
"It’s a game for the supporters. We will look to attack the game."
Rodgers says the atmosphere, as well as the rivalry between the sides, will make for a fascinating spectacle but warned his players they cannot afford to be slow starters.
"They're (derbies) always a little bit special. You can’t be caught from the off, you have to win your battles. It’s important to make the supporters proud," he said.
"You can’t shy away from it and you can’t underplay it. It’s a derby game and it’s an FA Cup game when we’re the holders. So we have to play to the level we play. You have to keep the temperament.
"We want to win this competition again.
"It was such a memorable and iconic period for us to win it.
"We want that again. You have to dig deep and perform well. They (Forest) are a good side. Steve has galvanised the team. They are very well-coached and have talented players.”
