Bristol Rovers' Mikkel aiming to put one over his keeper mate Alex

Mikkel Andersen has an extra incentive for trying to help Bristol Rovers back to winning ways tomorrow – to put one over on one of his best mates in the game.

Both the Pirates and Yeovil Town head into the game with goalkeepers on loan from Championship side Reading.

At 6ft 5ins tall, Andersen has already proved a big hit with Rovers fans. And at 6ft 4ins, his young Madejski Stadium club-mate Alex McCarthy has been making a sizeable impression at Yeovil Town since he joined the Somerset club at the start of the season.

"I've been working with Alex ever since I went to Reading, which is a good three years," said Andersen.

"During that time I've obviously got to know him well and have built up a bit of a relationship with him.

"We get on really well and are mates off the pitch as well, although there is a bit of rivalry too – so I'm looking forward to going out there tomorrow and beating him!"

McCarthy has not been on the losing side in his last six outings for the Glovers – although he made an early exit from their 2-2 draw against Stockport at Huish Park last month.

He was sent off 20 minutes into the game and conceded a penalty when he brought down Hatters player Nicholas Bignall – who, ironically, was also on loan from Reading at the time.

Although McCarthy and Andersen have been tussling to fight their way up the pecking order at Reading, the Dane says that battle for supremacy within the Berkshire club will take a back seat tomorrow.

"Right now I'm a Bristol Rovers player so the only thing I care about is getting a win – but if I can get one over on him at the same time, then I will!" said Andersen.

"But he's a good keeper – a tall lad who is calm, good at coming for crosses and a good shot-stopper too – he's one for the future as well. I'll send him a text before the game to try and find out what I can and see if they have any injuries."

Rovers head into their first home game in almost a month anxious to dispel memories of their first back-to-back defeats of the season – the 5-1 mauling at Norwich and a 2-1 reverse at Southend last weekend which only saw them kick into life once they were a couple of goals behind.

Boss Paul Trollope is emphasising that a much brighter start is needed from Bristol Rovers tomorrow. And with local pride at stake as well as three points, Andersen is aware there will be a bit of added spice about the encounter.

"The boys have told me that there's a bit of local rivalry between the clubs, but from my point of view I just prepare for it the way I would any other game. If we can go out and express ourselves then hopefully we can win it," he said.

"I'm looking forward to being back at our home ground. We have had a good spell there and the fans really get behind us, so hopefully we can reward them with three points."