Mark Cooper will be coming up against a familiar face in Northampton Town manager Keith Curle on Saturday.

Curle took over at Sixfields earlier this month and has already drawn two and won one of his three games in charge in all competitions.

The duo were both at Bristol City during their playing days and has fond memories of working with the former England international.

"I was a young boy at Bristol City when he was a young pro at Bristol City," said Cooper. "He used to take the youth team now and again and he would take the team and he used to shout at me all the time as well. He's definitely a leader, no messing with Keith. He had a top career, played for England and I've known him a long time and he's a good guy."

Curle has often played a 3-5-2 system, one which Cooper has deployed this season. The Rovers boss feels Northampton have a stronger squad than their lowly position of 22nd suggests but is wary of their threats after an upturn in form under their new manager.

"On paper they looked as though they had a really good squad and a lot of depth with good forwards He probably looked at the squad and thought he could do something. Looking at the defenders as well, I had Jordan Turnbull at Swindon and he's was outstanding, they've got Aaron Pierre, Leon Barnett and Ash Taylor so they have some good defenders as well.

"It didn't really happen for them under the previous manager. Keith's come in and steadied the ship and got some good results. As a manager you look at the players you have at your disposal and try and use them to the best of your ability and find a system that suits them, knowing Keith that's probably what he's done and thought the best way of steadying the ship is by playing that system."

Cooper was pleased with how his side performed against League One Coventry City in the Checkatrade Trophy. It's the second time Forest Green played a League One team and they've drew both times within 90 minutes which Cooper feels they can take confidence from.

"We played really well," said Cooper. The boys that came into the team the majority did quite well. We got a point and didn't lose the game against a League One team so I was pleased on the whole.

"It reinforces the belief that we can have a good season, we started slow but grew into it and we had large parts of it and should have killed it off at the end.

"We're now looking forward to a good game, a big club in Northampton."

Isaac Pearce netted for Rovers at the Ricoh Arena, his second goal in three appearances in the cup competitions but Cooper says they are managing the 19-year-old carefully and will only select him in the league when they feel hie's ready/

"I don't think he's ready to start yet," said the boss. "We've got to be careful with him. We've got some good players so you have to be a very good player to get into the team.

"He's done well and given us a headache and that's what you want. It shows now that if players are not on there game then they have to come out the team because players are snapping at their heals to get in."

Cooper also confirmed that there are no new injury concerns.

"We're all fit and ready to go. Jo Mills' wife had a baby on Tuesday and he's back in the fold," he added.