Forest Green Rovers play host to Scunthorpe United in League Two tomorrow at The New Lawn in what will be a Kids Go Free match.

Both teams head into their first meeting in the league in fine fettle sitting fourth and fifth respectively in the League Tow form table, with identical records in the last six games.

It promises to be a fantastic encounter and you can read all you need to know ahead of the match here…

What we said:

“The manager came in in the summer and he is slowly, but surely, putting his stamp on it. You look through the Suncthorpe squad and they have got some really good players and a manager who knows the level and has been successful,” said head coach Mark Cooper.

"I am sure, with that combination - with Paul, the staff and all the players - come the end of the season, I fully expect them to be in and around it."

What they said:

“They’ll be positive, sitting second in the table, so we won’t be expecting an easy game,” said manager Paul Hurst.

“I went to watch them at home against Crewe in their last league game and it was two of the better teams in the division going head-to-head. Both teams wanted to pass the ball, and Forest Green are known for being a good footballing side.“It will be a big challenge for us but one we feel ready for, and one where we won’t be fearing the opposition with the form we’ve been in. It’s a long journey again and it would be great for everybody connected if we could go there and get something from the game.”

Team news:

Forest Green:

Dayle Grubb was a welcome return from injury in last weekend’s game with Scunthorpe.

While Matt Mills sat out the game, it was only precautionary as he continues his return from a hamstring injury and will be available for tomorrow’s match.

Elliott Frear has returned to training this week, but the game with Scunthorpe may be too soon for his return.

Scunthorpe United:

The Iron will be without Matthew Lund as he serves the first game of a three match suspension following his red card against Port Vale.The only other players missing for the visitors are Regan Slater (ankle) and Jordan Hallam (hamstring).

About: Scunthorpe

Scunthorpe are the last side of those relegated from League One last season that Rovers will make their first appearance against, Plymouth Argyle having already visited The New Lawn, while Bradford City and Walsall have both played host to the Nailsworth side.

Just nine days after the close of the 2019/20 season, Scunthorpe appointed a new boss in the form of Paul Hurst.

Having been in the management game for the best part of a decade, Hurst spent time at the helm of both Ilkeston Town and Boston United before making the step up to the Football League.

He joined Grimsby Town in 2011, and he will be a man Rovers fans will be all to familiar with, his Mariners side beating Forest Green 3-1 at Wembley Stadium to earn promotion back to the Football League back in 2015.

The 45-year-old also spent some time in charge of Ipswich Town in the Championship before moving to Scunthorpe, the former Rotherham United defender making a number of changes to his playing squad over his first summer in charge.

It wasn’t the ideal start in League Two for Hurst’s men, picking up just one point from the opening eight games with a 2-2 draw at Crawley Town.

Since then, things have picked up for the Lincolnshire outfit, winning four of their last four in all competitions.

Key Player: Kevin Van Veen

Scunthorpe United announced the signing of striker Kevin van Veen in January 2019 after he re-joined the club from Northampton Town.

He initially signed for Scunthorpe in January 2015 from FC Oss, from the second division of Dutch football.

He has found the net eight times in all competitions this season.

Last time we met:

Then League One side Scunthorpe United recorded a confident victory in the FA Cup first round at Forest Green Rovers, who were plying their trade in the Conference Premier on Saturday, November 9.

Gary McSheffrey put Scunthorpe ahead midway through the first half when he rifled home a shot from long range.

They doubled their lead after the break when McSheffrey cut from the right to power his second past Sam Russell.

Lee Hughes almost put Rovers back in it soon after with a drive from distance but Scunthorpe held on to go through.

Head-to-head:

This will be the first league meeting between the two teams.

Forest Green Rovers have lost just one home game in the last three months, while Scunthorpe have also turned a corner form wise, suffering just one league defeat in the months of October and November.

Coverage:

This game will be available to watch live if you live abroad by subscribing HERE, or you can listen to the game with our audio service HERE, both abroad or in the UK.

If watching on a mobile device, you will need to download the FGR TV app to be able to watch or listen to the match. A full list of frequently asked questions can be found HERE.

Please contact fgrtv@streamamg.com if you have any issues with your FGR Live account.

Full commentary of Saturday’s match will also be available on BBC Radio Gloucestershire on 1413AM.

Stay up to date also on Twitter and Instagram by following @FGRFC_Official, which will have all of the team news before kick-off and updates throughout the game.

There will also be key updates and team news on Facebook. Round-up the clash by checking out the club website where there will be a full report looking back on the encounter.