Just over a fortnight after the freezing weather forced the Robins home meeting with Cambridge United to be postponed, the two sides finally get the opportunity to lock horns at the Jonny-Rocks Stadium on Tuesday evening (kick-off: 7.45pm).
It was the opening month of the campaign when the teams last met, and with both sitting neck and neck in the League Two table their next clash is set to be a huge one with an eye on confirming Football League status once again next season.
Cheltenham have a point to prove after suffering back-to-back away losses and will see Tuesday’s contest as a significant opportunity to get some more points on the board.
Michael Duff’s side made it consecutive home wins the last time they were in action at the Jonny-Rocks with vital victories over Macclesfield and Yeovil, and with a home outing this Saturday to come against Port Vale too, it’s a huge week in the Robins season.
Team news
A hamstring injury picked up on Saturday is set to rule Luke Varney out, while Jordan Tillson is also nursing a groin problem from the weekend and may miss the game.
Sean Long, Nigel Atangana, Alex Addai, Tyrone Barnett and Johnny Mullins definitely won’t be involved.
Watch what Michael Duff had to say at the club’s pre-match press conference:
Opposition
Having taken 13 points out of a possible 18 from their last six games, the U’s head to Gloucestershire in a good run of form. They’re 18th in the division, one place and one point above the Robins, and held play-off chasing Tranmere Rovers to a goalless draw on Saturday.
Head Coach Colin Calderwood has been in position since just before Christmas, with the former Nottingham Forest manager replacing Joe Dunne in the hotseat at the Abbey Stadium.
His squad includes a front line that features the experienced Jabo Ibhere, former Peterborough youngster Jevani Brown and one-time Liverpool graduate David Amoo.
Their key League Two experience comes from the likes of long-serving Harrison Dunk and Bermuda international Reggie Lambe, while they have also raided the loan market, recruiting the likes of Rushian Hepburn-Murphy from Aston Villa and left sider Hayden Coulson from Middlesbrough.
With first choice and former Republic of Ireland international goalkeeper David Forde out injured with a shoulder problem, Dimitar Mitov is likely to continue deputising in between the sticks.
Last time we met
Russell Milton took charge as caretaker manager back in August for the first time against Tuesday’s opponents and oversaw a 1-0 win at the Abbey Stadium.
New loan arrival Sam Jones proved to be the match winner as he replaced Liam McAlinden at half time and struck midway through the second half to seal maximum points.
Scott Flinders denied Jevani Brown to maintain his first clean sheet of the campaign and Louis John also headed wide for Cambridge.
Revisit the highlights from that meeting earlier this season:
Tickets
Tickets can be bought in advance for the game online here. They are also available to buy on the turnstiles which open at 6.30pm.
If you purchased tickets for the postponed meeting earlier in the month then these are still valid for the match.
The ticket office will also be open before and after the match for fans wanting to purchase tickets for upcoming games with the club shop also open beforehand selling club merchandise.
Coverage
Follow the night’s action on Twitter from the build up to kick-off, to team news and match updates on @CTFCofficial. Stay up to date with goal updates too on the CTFC Facebook page. After the game visit ctfc.com for reaction from inside the camp.
Listen to full match commentary on iFollow and with BBC Radio Gloucestershire.