Rovers are looking to continue their unbeaten start to the season when they travel to face Northampton Town in Sky Bet League Two this weekend.
Gary McSheffrey’s side beat Salford City last time out thanks to a double from Kyle Hurst at the Eco-Power Stadium.
Here we provide all the details on our latest opponents.
Manager
Jon Brady started working within the Northampton Academy in 2016 and was handed the role of first team caretaker manager when Keith Curle departed Sixfields in February 2021.
Despite not being able to keep the team in Sky Bet League One that season, Brady was handed the job on a permanent basis.
In his first full season in charge, the Cobblers missed out on automatic promotion on goals scored, before being beaten by Mansfield Town over two legs in the play-off semi-final.
The 47-year-old Australian will be hoping to go one better this time around with another 12 months of experience under his belt.
Early season form
Northampton sit one place above Rovers on goal difference after an unbeaten start to their League Two season.
Having beaten Colchester United 3-2 at home on the opening day, Northampton drew 1-1 at Grimsby Town a week later. Brady’s side maintained their 100% home record with a 2-1 win over Hartlepool United, before scoring in injury time to beat Crawley Town on the road.
They fought from two goals down to once again score late to rescue a draw at Crewe Alexandra last time out.
Key men
An experienced winger, Mitch Pinnock got his move to the EFL with AFC Wimbledon in the summer of 2018 after impressing with Dover Athletic in Non League. His direct style made him a firm fans favourite with the Dons, and he spent two seasons in the capital before a move to Kilmarnock came about in 2020.
The 27-year-old played 30 times in the SPL but would return south of the border to join Northampton last summer. He scored nine goals in his first season at the club and was key to their success, as part of his best ever season in front of goal.
A wide man with an eye for goal, Sam Hoskins has been with Northampton since arriving from Yeovil Town in 2015.
He enjoyed plenty of success in the 2020/21 campaign, when his 12 goals, including one in the Sky Bet League Two play-off final win against Exeter City, helped the Cobblers on their way to promotion to the third tier.
He scored eight goals the following season but couldn’t prevent the side from relegation. His best scoring season came last term, as he found the back of the net 13 times in 52 appearances.
He would well beat that tally this season though, after scoring in every league game so far to give him seven from four games, including the equaliser at Crewe last time out.
Danny Hylton joined Northampton earlier this summer after spending six years at Sky Bet Championship side Luton Town.
The front man made his name at Aldershot in a seven year spell at the start of his career. He scored almost 50 goals which led to a brief stint at Rotherham United, before eventually signing for Oxford United in 2014. 30 goals in 85 starts at the Kassam Stadium was what earned him his move to Luton in 2016.
He played a crucial role in the Hatters’ rise through the divisions, averaging a goal every other league start during his time at Kenilworth Road to ensure his place in club folklore.
Last meeting
The two sides played out a goalless draw at the Eco-Power Stadium when they last met in March 2021. Rovers goalkeeper Jonathan Mitchell was in goal for the Cobblers that day.
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