Paul Trollope knows what his starting line-up should be

Bristol Rovers manager Paul Trollope has said he believes his new-look side will be given a "realistic test" at Cheltenham Town on Wednesday.

He told BBC Radio Bristol: "It promises to be a cracking game.

"We'll be going out with a full team, giving most people 80 or 90 minutes and hopefully take another step forward in our preparations."

Central defender James Tunnicliffe, who missed Saturday's 1-0 home defeat by West Bromwich Albion, is fit again.

Added Trollope: "Getting Premier League sides to The Mem is fantastic but, at times on Saturday, you could see the difference in the quality with their [West Brom's] strength and pace.

"This is a more realistic test against Cheltenham."

We're still giving opportunities and there's always chances for people to come from the shadows, but I more or less know who I want to start with Paul Trollope

The Rovers boss revealed that, after several weeks of intensive training, he now knows the make-up of his starting line-up for the first match of the League One season, at Peterborough on August 7.

"We're still giving opportunities and there's always chances for people to come from the shadows, but I more or less know who I want to start with."

Trollope is looking forward to locking horns with defender Steve Elliott, who left Rovers for Cheltenham this summer. "Steve was a fantastic servant here and I'm pleased he's signed a two-year deal there.

"A lot of managers asked me about him during the summer and I gave glowing references to them all."

A youthful Rovers side were beaten 3-0 on Monday night by Forest Green, who scored through Reece Styche, Ross Dyer and a Harry Pell own goal.

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