Bristol Rovers manager Joey Barton revealed he held discussions with Nigel Pearson over a potential pre-season friendly which was reportedly curtailed on police advice.
The two rivals last faced each other in 2013 with the Robins coming out on top with a 2-1 victory in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy, courtesy of goals from Jay Emmanuel-Thomas and Joe Bryan. It was the two side's first meeting in six and a half years.
That contest was marred by crowd violence that led to 19 arrests with three police officers receiving injuries. Trouble brewed both on the pitch after the full-time whistle and outside of the Ashton Gate.
