PHIL Brown hopes an early-season derby for his Swindon Town troops against Forest Green Rovers will whet the appetite of supporters ahead of the new campaign.

Town discovered one of their earliest opponents for the 2018-19 season during last week’s Carabao Cup first round draw, which pitted them at home to near neighbours and League Two rivals Rovers in week commencing August 13.

That is likely to be Swindon’s third game of the campaign, with the league programme getting under way on Saturday, August 4.

Town will know their full fixture list tomorrow morning when the EFL release the schedules for each club at 9am, and Brown says a meeting with Forest Green only serves to add to the excitement over the new season.

“We are looking forward to it,” said Brown.

“I don’t think I have ever played Forest Green Rovers. Having managed and coached in every division in England, and played as well, I have never actually come across Forest Green Rovers, which is unusual.

“They were newly promoted a year ago, so they fully deserve to be where they are.

“With it being a derby match, it adds a little bit of spice to the first round. It is a really exciting draw and hopefully that will whet the appetite of the supporters.”

Following tomorrow's fixture announcement, the Swindon players will report back to the club on Monday for the start of their pre-season training programme.