Gary McSheffrey thinks the Northampton Town match will be a good benchmark for where his side are at.
Rovers are one place behind the Cobblers in the league, level on points and goal difference, with only goals scored separating both teams.
With both sides having had a strong start to the season, McSheffrey is expecting a difficult test.
He said: “Northampton are a well-drilled side and it is going to be a tough place to go to. There are a lot of similarities between ourselves and them. They have scored a few late goals as well.
“It will be a marker to see where we are at in the division. We need to roll our sleeves up and dig in as they know this league so well and perform well every year.
“They are a strong side and they will be right up there for the entire season.”
The Rovers boss believes the club is seeing the benefits from assembling the squad early doors in the transfer window.
He added: “It’s a big game this weekend against a good team. I believe in the people we have here to make a difference. I am grateful for the squad I have.
“Doing our transfer business early has allowed us to be organised early doors. The benefit of this can be seen on the pitch so far.”
Since the summer 18-year-old Academy graduate Bobby Faulkner has stepped-up to the plate and McSheffrey has been impressed by him.
He added: “Bobby has stepped up and has not let anyone down. He wears his heart on his sleeve. He will be chomping at the bit to get more minutes. We trust him when he’s called upon.
“If it came to it, I would be comfortable putting him in one of my teams from the start. He is hungry and doesn’t expect to start games. His attitude is spot on. I would never hesitate to throw him in.”