PREVIEW: Bristol Rovers vs Exeter City

GOALKEEPER Steve Mildenhall says he and his team-mates must use the feel-good factor arising from recent events at the Memorial Stadium to aid Bristol Rovers' battle for Football League survival.

Bottom-of-the-table Rovers have endured a woeful campaign to date and are embroiled in a relegation battle.

The arrival of new manager John Ward to succeed Mark McGhee last month, however, has served to breathe life in to Rovers' survival bid and further impetus was added on Wednesday night after the prospect of a new £40 million stadium at Stoke Gifford moved a step closer when councillors approved plans for Sainsbury's to build a superstore on the Memorial Stadium site.

Mildenhall, pictured, said: "Things are looking positive at the moment.

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"The increasing possibility of a new stadium was something the lads were all talking about before training on Thursday morning.

"It has ensured a great buzz around the place, especially on the back of what was a great result for us at Fleetwood last week.

"Hopefully we can take some of that feel-good factor with us on to the pitch in the remaining games to make sure we keep this club in this division.

"These are very positive thing going on off-the-field, but for us, as players, we have to focus on the day-to-day stuff.

"We can't get too carried away with that sort of stuff, because the new stadium is probably a couple of years down the road.

"Will some of us be still here? I don't know. That's what football is like. You certainly don't know what would happen if we don't make sure we stay in this division."

Rovers continue their bid to lift themselves off the foot-of-the-table tomorrow – weather permitting – when another promotion-chasing side in the shape of Exeter City arrive at the Memorial Stadium.

The pitch has been covered since Tuesday, but with heavy snow predicted for today, the chances of the game definitely going-ahead remain in the balance.

"That's all part and parcel of football at this time of year," Mildenhall said.

"I've listened to the weather reports and it looks a little bit bleak.

"We're all desperate for the game to go ahead because we had a good win last weekend and it is important that we build momentum.

"Unfortunately, we are in the lap of the Gods, but hopefully there won't be as much snow as predicted.

"It would be a bit of a travesty if the game was called off because we've produced a couple of good performances this month and we'd like to keep that going."

Indeed, Ward has managed to claim seven points from his four games in charge and has only suffered defeat once – and that was at the hands of title-chasers Gillingham.

Ward is expected to be able to recall the services of Joe Anyinsah and Fabian Broghammer tomorrow and hinted that he would make changes to the patched-up and youthful side that performed so admirably at Highbury.

Among those to emerge from that game with credit was youngster Ellis Harrison, who was handed a first league start and made an instant impression by setting up the first goal with a cross to Danny Woodards.