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Bristol Rovers have made the unusual step of warning supporters they may not bring "any items that may incite hatred or abuse" to the game with them this weekend.

Why? Because the Gas' former star striker Matty Taylor is set to return to the Memorial Stadium on Saturday for the first time since controversially joining the club's fierce rivals Bristol City on the January transfer deadline day in 2017.

Since then, Taylor has been widely referred to as "a snake" amongst Gasheads, and Rovers fans on social media have even joked of buying plastic snakes to taunt Taylor over his betrayal to the blue and white quarters.

(Image: Oxford United)

Over two-and-a-half seasons, Taylor was an integral part of Darrell Clarke's side firing them up the divisions from Conference Premier to League One scoring an impressive 68 goals in 134 games.

Hampered by injury his time at Bristol City has been less successful, used mainly as a substitute, and this week he returned to his home town club Oxford United on a season-long loan.

Following former striker Stefan Payne's night of abuse while on the bench for Tranmere Rovers, during the Pirates' 2-0 home win, the League One club have issued a warning to fans:

"Supporters are reminded that any items that may incite hatred or abuse cannot be brought into the stadium and amnesty bins will be placed around the entrances for these to be disposed of before entrance to the ground will be permitted.

"Bristol Rovers is a family and community club and it is imperative that our supporters continue to represent us favourably at all times.

(Image: 2015 Getty Images)

"Can we remind supporters that it is an offence to throw any object into the playing area or into the crowd.

"Any supporters that throw objects onto the pitch or are found to be in breach of ground regulations will be ejected from the stadium immediately and be subject to indefinite bans.

"We’d like to thank all fans for their continued support and cooperation in creating a safe environment for everyone this weekend."

The match at the weekend is an all ticket affair, with tickets still available here at the time of publication. The match certainly has all the ingredients to be one of the spiciest atmospheres of the season, and as such not to be missed.