It all kicks off for real this Saturday when the Robins open up with a tough trip to Northampton Town.

This term Cobblers boss Stuart Gray has high hopes for his side as he looks for them to improve on last seasons ninth place finish in League One.

He has made a few changes to his squad over the summer and to date brought in five new faces. The recruits range from experienced striker Leon Constantine, who has played at 11 senior clubs during his professional career, right down to a 16-year-old starlet from Derry City.

The latter, midfielder Tom McBride, was snapped up from under the noses of some of our more notable clubs. It is reported that both Glasgow Rangers and West Bromwich Albion were in the hunt for the Irish youngster's signature.

On the other hand 30-year-old Leon Constantine needs little introduction to the Cheltenham fans as he has both featured and scored against us previously.

The Cobblers won the race to sign the big front man when he became available on a free transfer from Leeds. The 30-year-old returned to Leeds towards the end of last season after a loan spell at Oldham, but was deemed surplus to requirements.

"He's got a physical presence and a proven scoring record at this level," said Cobblers boss Stuart Gray.

Another astute signing by Gray may turn out to be that of former Torquay, Cambridge, Southend, Orient and Colchester playmaker, Luke Guttridge.

The 26-year-old joined the club after putting in an impressive short trial at Sixfields this summer.

Stuart Gray, speaking to BBC Radio Northampton this week about Guttridge said, "He's not had a pre-season as such so I think he can get better, but what I do like about him is that he can dominate games from midfield."

Scottish club Gretna's demise last season has resulted in a few additional players becoming available and Northampton stepped in to sign up the former Raydale Park midfielder Abdul Osman on a two-year contract.

The 21-year-old Englishman had looked set to join Kilmarnock but failed a medical due to a back injury. Nevertheless, the Cobblers manager says he is unconcerned by the former Maidenhead player's fitness.

"I've got every confidence that the boy will be fit and healthy and we will be pleased when he gets out on the pitch," Gray told his local BBC Radio sports desk.

Northampton's fifth summer signing was winger Liam Davis, released by Coventry City in May.

The 21-year-old former Fulham trainee made 21 senior appearances for the Sky Blues after joining them in 2005 and also played seven games on loan at Peterborough.

The Cobblers enjoyed some pre-season success whilst on tour in Germany but struggled to score goals in any of their home staged friendly matches.

However Gray appears unconcerned by this fact but must have been re-assured by his squad this week when they held Queens Park Rangers 2-2 in a 'behind closed doors game' in West London.

One of the scorers on this occasion was the powerful Adebayo Akinfenwa, who now appears to have fully recovered from an injury picked up at the end of last season.

A Northampton front pairing of Akinfenwa and Constantine could well batter one or two League One defences during the forthcoming campaign and if they are leading the line on Saturday they will certainly test the Robins back line.

Match tickets for Saturday's game (3pm) are only available on the day and must be purchased from the small ticket cabin, located behind the away end, before then heading for the turnstiles.