They say timing is everything and Adriano Rigoglioso has certainly returned to the Forest Green Rovers team just in time.

Ahead of Saturday's FA Cup clash with Derby County, the striker was back in the starting line-up to score in last Sunday's 2-1 win over Barrow.

Rigoglioso is set to play in the hole behind frontman and fellow Liverpudlian Andy Mangan in Rovers' familiar 4-4-1-1 system.

He has featured only sporadically this term as a result of a summer knee problem. Indeed, injuries have been a common theme for Jim Harvey's side this season.

With a fully-fit team they topped the Blue Square Premier table at the end of August. But from then on their small squad was unable to cope without absent friends and they failed to win for 11 games until the FA Cup came around to raise their fortunes.

Rigoglioso began his career at Liverpool and knows the Pride Park outfit won't relish their trip to the New Lawn.

"We do feel that with everyone fit we are a good side, which we have proven this season," said the former Morecambe, Doncaster and Southport man.

"Obviously the league doesn't lie but we have a small squad and we haven't been able to replace the lads who have been injured but we know that with everyone fit and doing the job properly we will give most teams a game.

"We fancy our chances against anyone and that is not being cocky and arrogant – we do feel we have got a good chance against Derby.

Rigoglioso is urging his team-mates to take what could be their one career chance to pull off a major upset.

"It will be very strange playing in front of 5,000 at home but it will be good," he said.

"There will be nerves before the game but we will use that to our advantage. We have to be able to adapt to the situation and we have to make the most of the opportunity.

"This might be the only time we are on this stage so we have to take advantage of it and hopefully get a result.

"We have got an opportunity to make a name for ourselves. In the last round against Rochdale we weren't expected to win either but we beat them comfortably and we took a lot of confidence from that.

"Hopefully we can raise our game and then one of the lads will be a star."

Rigoglioso came on as a late substitute in the 2-0 win against Rochdale. Simon Clist played in the hole that day but is likely to feature on the left-hand side of midfield on Saturday.

Rigoglioso said: "Hopefully I have come into the team at the right time. After Sunday's game I am hoping to get the nod on Saturday.

"I have been injured this year so it has been a stop start season. I had a knee injury over the summer so I have been working back off.

"I have played it (in the hole) with the gaffer at Morecambe so I know what he wants from me.

"Derby are expected to win and if they come to win hopefully they will leave gaps which we can exploit."