Rovers return to Sky Bet League One action this Saturday when they travel to face Burton Albion.
Rovers defeated local rivals Scunthorpe United 2-1 on Tuesday night in the Carabao Cup, with Mallik Wilks’ third goal in three games and Danny Andrew’s first goal for the club sealing progression into the second round of the competition.
Rovers will be looking to make it three wins from three in the league now, following a 3-2 win away at Southend United on the opening day, before sealing another three points after a 3-0 victory over Wycombe Wanderers in their first home game of the 2018/19 campaign.
Brief history of Burton Albion
Burton play at the 6,912-capacity Pirelli Stadium, which has been their home since 2005 following their move from Eton Park.
They are nicknamed the Brewers after the historic brewing industry which stems back hundreds of years in the town.
Burton return to League One following two years in the Championship, being relegated on the final day of last season after defeat at Preston North End.
The Brewers won promotion from the third tier on the final day of the 2015/16 season, getting the point they needed in a goalless draw against Rovers at the Keepmoat Stadium, sealing back-to-back promotions following their title-winning exploits in League Two the year before.
During the 2005/06 season, whilst still in the Conference, the Brewers famously held Premier League giants Manchester United to a draw at home in the FA Cup third round, drawing 0-0 at the Pirelli Stadium, before losing out in the replay at Old Trafford.
Who’s the gaffer?
Nigel Clough is the man in charge of the Brewers, currently in his second stint in the hot-seat at the Pirelli Stadium.
His first spell in charge saw him spend 11 years in the dugout, all but one of which he was also registered as a player. He left the Brewers with them flying high in the Conference in 2009, taking the job at Derby County, before making a move to take control of Sheffield United.
Whilst at Bramall Lane, he lead the Blades to the FA Cup semi-final, where they would narrowly miss out on a place in the final after being defeated by Premier League side Hull City.
Clough returned to Burton in 2015, with his first game back in charge of the Brewers coming against Rovers at the Pirelli Stadium in a 3-3 draw.
Ones to watch
Scott Fraser
The midfielder joined the Brewers ahead of their return to League One, joining from Scottish Championship side, Dundee United. Fraser spent 13 years with the Terrors, joining his hometown club as a youngster and coming through the youth set up at Tannadice.
He joined Airdrieonians on loan during the 2014/15 season, five times in 28 appearance. He finished his time with United making over 100 appearances, scoring 15 times, and he is now looking to cut his teeth in England following his move south of the border.
Ben Turner
The central defender is a man with Premier League experience, following a season in the top flight with Cardiff City. Turner began his career with Coventry City, coming through the Sky Blues’ youth academy before signing a professional contract, spending seven years at with City.
A move to Cardiff followed in 2011, spending five years at the Cardiff City Stadium, helping them to the Championship title in 2013. Turner joined Burton in 2016, making over 70 appearances across two seasons at the Pirelli Stadium.
Marvin Sordell
The Brewers forward made three appearances for the Great Britain Olympic football team during the 2012 Games. Sordell began his career with Watford, scoring 21 goals in 75 league games for the Hornets, moving to Bolton in January 2012.
He was selected in the Team GB squad for the Olympic Games later on that year, playing three times, including two of GB’s group games. Sordell also spent time in the England youth set-up, making appearances for both the under-20 and under-21 teams. Spells with Burnley, Colchester United and Coventry City followed his time with Bolton, before his move to the Pirelli Stadium at the beginning of 2017.
Last time out
As mentioned before, the last meeting between the two sides was a goalless draw at the Keepmoat Stadium back in May 2016, a point which would seal the Brewers promotion to the Championship.
The last meeting at the Pirelli Stadium was an entertaining 3-3 draw in December 2015, with Andy Williams putting Rovers 1-0 up early on, before two goals from Calum Butcher turned the game on its head. Paul Keegan and Nathan Tyson put Rovers back in front, before former Rovers man Mark Duffy’s late goal ensured that both teams would share the spoils, with the Brewers flying high at the top of League One at the time.