Joey Barton has joked that Sutton United's abrasive and direct style of play will need an official with the acumen of legendary rugby union referee Nigel Owens, as Bristol Rovers welcome them to the Mem.
Rovers and Sutton are familiar bedfellows this season having drawn 1-1 at Ganders Green Lane 10 days ago, while Tuesday night's encounter in BS7 is the rearranged game from Boxing Day which was postponed due to a Covid-19 outbreak in the Gas squad. The two sides also met in the FA Cup second round in December, with Rovers winning 2-1.
That has given Barton, and opposite number Matt Gray, ample opportunity to work out their respective playing styles and Barton claims the fixture in south London earlier this month, at times, was reminiscent of a game of rugby union, with Sutton playing for territory, set-pieces and particularly physical.
