After Rovers’ FA Cup success in December, the game at the VBS ten days ago ended all square, Richie Bennett’s first half goal cancelled out by a later penalty before U’s missed several chances to grab a late winner, Omar Bugiel hitting the post, and that result extended both teams’ unbeaten league starts to 2022.

Since then, Rovers have lost 2-1 at improving Oldham and on Saturday shared a goalless draw with Mansfield at the Memorial Stadium, results which have slowed their climb up the table and left them going in to Tuesday’s game in 14th place, ten points adrift of the play-off positions, albeit with games in hand over everyone above them except Port Vale.

Goalkeeper James Belshaw, who was ruled out of the game at Sutton, returned on Saturday but Antony Evans, who converted the late penalty and hit the bar from a first half free kick, missed the Mansfield game through injury.

Sutton’s unbeaten start to the year continued with draws against Salford and Forest Green, leaving U’s in fifth place, two points behind third placed Northampton. Craig Eastmond and Isaac Olaofe will be doubts having missed Saturday’s draw with the league leaders.

Tonight’s referee is Chris Pollard from Suffolk, who is in his third season on the EFL list and has taken charge of a number of Sutton games in the past at National League and National League South level.

Tickets are available on the night from the away ticket booth, prices adult £24; Seniors (age 65+) £20; Under 16 £11; Under 11 £6. Wheelchair and ambulant disabled prices are as above, with a carer admitted free. A reminder that anyone with a ticket for the original Boxing Day fixture can use that ticket to get in and does not need a new one.

Supporters not going to the game can watch a live stream of the game through our iFollow service, price £10, and passes can be bought here, with the club receiving the revenue from passes bought.

A reminder that the Supporters’ Club coach leaves at 2.30pm (note that there is not now an academy game on the ground at lunch time, as had been previously advertised). Independent drivers should leave the M32 at junction 2 (Eastville) and follow Muller Road until the junction with Filton Avenue, just before the A38 Gloucester Road. There is no parking at the ground, but street parking should be available in Muller Road and, the other side of the A38, in Kellaway Avenue and adjoining roads. 

 By rail you can travel to Bristol Temple Meads (half hourly, roughly on the hour and half hour) or Bristol Parkway (half hourly at xx18 and xx48) from Paddington, journey time is about an hour and a half, slightly less to Parkway which is also closer to the ground. The 73 bus runs from both stations past the ground about every twenty minutes (half hourly after the game) – it’s about 15 minutes from Parkway and half an hour from Temple Meads, but Temple Meads also has the option of the 72 or 72a service. The last return train from Parkway is at 21.55, and from Temple Meads at 22.00.