Jimmy Ball believes his players are confident ahead as Rovers head to play-off chasing Crawley Town in Sky Bet League Two this weekend.

Rovers travel to West Sussex on the back of two matches undefeated under the stewardship of their new interim head coach - with plenty of positives and belief to be taken out of both performances.

With four league games remaining and everything still to play for at the top of the table, Ball believes Saturday's clash with the Red Devils is a match they can head into with their 'tails up and chests puffed out'.

"I think they’re very good at what they do. Very organised, very fit, very athletic," said Ball.

"This is a real big test, as Exeter and Scunthorpe were. You can’t take anything for granted in this league.

Nothing is taken for granted, this is another cup final and another big game for us.

"You look at the results every week and there’s always one that you’re scratching your head at. It’s a big game that we’re going into with our tails up and chests puffed out and we’re going to have a go."

Fresh from managing the Rovers Under-18s side this season, the former Stoke City academy coach has lead the side to two back-to-back undefeated matches, after a poor run of form which saw the side winless in seven.

Ball has admitted himself that the players have the ability to perform on the pitch - and has been satisfied with their reaction over the past week.

"I’ve just been myself – what that is I don’t know. I’ve just been around them, telling them what I want and that’s all I can do. Asking them to outcompete the opposition, outthink the opposition, outrun the opposition and outplay the opposition, and that’s exactly what they’ve done.

"I couldn’t be any happier and I’ve let them know that. It’s not rocket science; football is a simple game. I’m not going to sit here and say that there’s something magical that I’m doing or anything incredibly new or different that I’m doing. I just think that they’re a good side and they’ve been a good side all season."

Ball also provided an injury update following Nicky Cadden's substitution on Tuesday evening - and influential midfielder Elliott Whitehouse's ommission from recent matchday squads.

While both Jamille Matt and Dan Sweeney look set to miss the remainder of the campaign, it appears that another important player will be joining them on the sidelines.

"Elliott took a blow to his knee - that he’s got a bit of history with – against Salford, and it’s just not been quite right. Something’s been up and he hasn’t felt right. When a player is feeling like that, you have to listen to them.

"I would say it’s season-ending because there might need to be a bit of exploratory surgery that happens. So, he definitely won’t be available this season, but I couldn’t tell you beyond that. He’s extremely fit, extremely strong, which goes in his favour.

"Nicky will miss at least the next couple of weeks and then we’ll assess after that. He’s such an influential player, but these things happen. It’s just a bit of residual stuff from his previous injury that we need to make sure is right."

You can watch Saturday's match at the People's Pension Stadium by securing a match pass from FGR Live for £10.