Darrell Clarke returns to Cheltenham as Bristol Rovers travel for EFL Trophy clash

Saturday was all about Steve Cotterill’s return to Whaddon Road but on Tuesday night another familiar face returns in Darrell Clarke.

The 47-year-old Rovers manager left Cheltenham after they were relegated from League One at the end of the 2023/24 season as he joined Barnsley, only to be sacked in March after a disappointing campaign.

Clarke’s now in his second spell at the Bristol based side after guiding them to back-to-back promotions in the mid-2010s from the National League into League One and replaced Inigo Calderon in the summer.

“Yeah, will do, making changes,” Clarke said speaking to BristolLive. “Got another big game on Saturday, MK Dons. I’d like to thank the fans for the support today, absolutely outstanding.

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“Disappointing journey home for them but I thank them for their support, and we’ll go again Tuesday.”

The “return of the king” as named by the Cheltenham fans was how Cotterill’s new reign at Cheltenham started at the weekend as goals from Isaac Hutchinson and Josh Martin earned them a 2-0 win over Fleetwood at home.

“Lots of changes,” Cotterill said post-Fleetwood. “Change the team as much as I can for that game because the other boys have got to play and I’ve got to look at them.

“We’ll be going into that game and obviously wanting to win but we’ve got to work with the others and find out who is who. The couple that are back from suspension will definitely play so will a lot of the other boys and I just need to see how that team looks.”

Harry Pell and Lee Angol are the two players that are returning after their dismissals away from home at Grimsby Town in the 7-1 defeat on Saturday, September 27.

There are two players who moved from Bristol Rovers to Cheltenham in the summer as James Wilson and Hutchinson made the switch but they are unlikely to feature having played on Saturday and the latter cup-tied.

Another chance to see Steve Cotterill's red and white army in action 🙌

It's Kids for a Quid tomorrow night as we welcome Bristol Rovers in the @VertuTrophy!#ctfc♦️ pic.twitter.com/IX7OFknsoJ
— Cheltenham Town (@CTFCofficial) October 6, 2025