My shock chance to take on Bristol Rovers, by City winger Murray

SCOTT MURRAY has told of his surprise after learning that his Cheltenham Town debut could come against Bristol Rovers tonight.

The Bristol City winger began a month-long loan deal with the Whaddon Road club yesterday after new manager Martin Allen made the 34-year-old his first signing.

And he is included in their squad for tonight's West derby against the Pirates.

"I didn't know what Cheltenham's next game was until Gary Johnson told me they were playing Rovers tonight," said Murray.

"So it's one of the best games I could have hoped for.

"I'm sure the Rovers fans will give me a nice reception!

"I've already had Danny Coles on the phone trying to get Cheltenham's team out of me, but I don't know what it is or whether I'll be starting.

"I'm friends with a few of the Rovers lads like Colesy and Steve Phillips, and I was at Aston Villa as a kid with Aaron Lescott.

"There are a lot of lads in the Cheltenham squad I know too, so I'm definitely looking forward to it."

Murray, who has played over 300 league games for City in two spells with the club, last faced Rovers in the first leg of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy area final two seasons ago – but was forced off with a broken foot in the first half of a 0-0 draw at Ashton Gate.

"I missed out on playing in the second leg at the Memorial Stadium, but it was painful watching," said Murray, referring to the 1-0 win that took Rovers to the Millennium Stadium final.

"Hopefully it will be different tonight. I have trained with the Cheltenham lads and they seem 100 per cent behind Martin Allen.

"He is very positive and looking forward to the challenge ahead. I'm sure he can turn things around there."

Meanwhile, Pirates' head coach Paul Trollope is warning his players to beware of the Martin Allen factor if they are to return to winning ways.

The Robins may lie bottom of League One, but Trollope believes the home side will raise their game to try and impress their new manager, who took over at Whaddon Road following Keith Downing's weekend departure.

"We saw what happened when we went to Bournemouth and the huge effect it had on their players," said Trollope, referring to the Pirates' recent 3-0 defeat in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy to a side playing their first game under new boss Jimmy Quinn.

"He will give them a boost – there's no doubt about that.

"He's an interesting character who has done a good job at a number of clubs he's been at and he will get them fired up for the game, so we have to be ready for that."

Rovers will be looking to end a run of three defeats against a Cheltenham side who have lost their last five.

Trollope's side will be up against former Gas favourite Barry Hayles this evening, a former clubmate of the Rovers head coach at Fulham.

"Barry came to Fulham from Rovers, moved up a couple of divisions, and had a fantastic career. He's a good friend and still a handful, despite his age," Trollope said of the on-loan 36-year-old.

"He and Lloyd Owusu are two good, strong players with a lot of experience and knowhow, so we are going to have to be strong.

"I wish Barry well at Cheltenham – but after tonight."