DAVID Flitcroft expects a different approach from Forest Green Rovers when the two sides meet for the third time this season tomorrow.

Town claimed a 2-0 success when they travelled to the New Lawn in League Two back in September but were beaten 1-0 on home turf in the second round of the Checkatrade Trophy last month.

The local rivals will resume battle back in the return league fixture at the Energy Check County Ground on Saturday, with Rovers arriving with a vastly overhauled squad.

Former Town boss Mark Cooper has been one of the most proactive managers in the January transfer window so far, bringing six new players into Rovers since the turn of the year.

Forest Green were promoted from the National League last season but have found life hard going in League Two so far, although did haul themselves out of the relegation zone with a 1-0 win at home to Port Vale last weekend.

Flitcroft believes Rovers have added more physicality to their ranks in order to cope with the rigorous demands of the fourth tier and is expecting a tight game.

“They have got a certain way of playing, Mark has always done that. I think that has been his philosophy and Forest Green’s philosophy throughout a long period,” said Flitcroft.

“It is difficult when you come up into this league. It is about being robust and staying in games and being resilient.

“I think Mark has been able to get to the window, reassess what they have done and maybe change things and go with more robust players and stronger players.

“He has definitely gone down a different route in terms of recruitment and the DNA of a player to maybe combat that physicality that in League Two you do encounter week in, week out against all types of different teams.

“Certainly they look stronger and more robust through the recruitment strategy in January.”

Donal McDermott is Town’s only injury concern from the matchday squad that triumphed at Barnet in their last match on New Year’s Day, while James Brophy is available for selection after a disciplinary issue.

“Donal has picked up a bit of a groin strain and was going to see a specialist on Thursday night. He had the problem on Monday and it has not settled down as we wanted,” said Flitcroft.

“James Brophy is training with us, so there is no problem. He has been internally disciplined and he is unconditionally sorry for what he has done and how he has let people down.

“He is back in training and back at full speed and was very good against Cheltenham in the Central League game.”