Dominic Blizzard is in line to make his first start for Bristol Rovers tomorrow – at the club he left just a few weeks ago.

The midfielder makes a speedy return to Edgeley Park, the home of Stockport County, and is expected to make his full debut for the Pirates against the side the bookies have tipped as favourites for relegation.

This summer's recruit to the Memorial Stadium has been eased into action from the bench in Rovers' two games so far after a pre-season illness left him playing catch-up.

But coach Paul Trollope is ready to employ the rangey 26-year-old from the off against the Hatters.

"I didn't realise how early in the season this fixture was. It's not been long since I left Stockport and it will be nice to go back there again," said Blizzard.

"I enjoyed my time there. After I left Watford, I needed regular football after being out for so long and they provided me with that. We had a bit of success there as well."

Life at Edgeley Park must certainly have been eventful last season with fears over County's survival as they battled to pay debts to the tax man.

They went into administration just before the end of the season but were sold over the summer to a consortium headed by former Manchester City player Jim Melrose.

Controversial manager Jim Gannon had departed by then – he is now in charge of Motherwell – and Blizzard was one of five County players who joined new clubs.

"A lot of the players and the manager have gone and I think there are only about four people left who were playing last season. I guess it's a completely different place now," said Blizzard.

"There was a lot of uncertainty and I don't think any player likes that. Our form towards the end of the season wasn't great and you can put that down to a lot of things, but I don't think it helps when the club is going into administration."

Gannon was a hate figure for many Rovers fans after a well-publicised spat with the Pirates as Trollope's side pipped Stockport to promotion in the 2006-07 campaign.

"I heard about that a few times," said Blizzard. "But to be honest, I think it was probably like that at every club where Jim Gannon was concerned, because there were a lot of other managers and teams he didn't get on with.

"He's opinionated and wasn't slow to air his views, so it's not surprising if he had a fall-out with a few people here. It happened at virtually every away game last season!"

A flu bug meant Blizzard playing only bit parts in Rovers' pre-season games, but he is not deterred by the prospect of being thrown in at the deep end against his former club.

"I'm a fit enough lad and I'll get there sooner rather than later. Any minutes on the pitch are a bonus and I'm in full-time training now," he said.

"Getting off to a good start is important and that's why we need to get into a winning habit and start moving up the league. It can propel us on to bigger and better things."

Though last Saturday's opening-day home defeat by Leyton Orient was a big disappointment, Rovers recorded a morale-boosting Carling Cup win over Aldershot in midweek.

"When you are winning, you just want games to keep coming," said Blizzard. "The Aldershot game wasn't a particularly great one, but a win is a win and getting through to the next round was what's important."