Byfield top-scored for the Robins last season when they came within 90 minutes of back-to-back promotions.

"It will be nice to see the Bristol guys and hopefully we can come back with the three points," said Byfield.

"I am looking forward to playing against Bristol and hopefully I'll be in the starting line-up for the first time, or at least get to come off the bench."

Byfield opted to join Rovers, in preference to several other interested clubs, in the summer after being released by City.

But his start to the season was delayed by a hernia operation.

He has been on the bench for the last three games, impressing every time he has taken to the field.

Two of those games ended in 1-0 defeats, though he came close to salvaging a result for Rovers at St Andrew's on Saturday.

Keeper Maik Taylor knew little about his 30-yarder and was relieved to get a hand to it and turn it on to the post. "We deserved to get something from the game the way we played and I thought that we deserved a least a draw," said Byfield.

He said something similar after Tuesday's 1-0 home defeat against Charlton.

"But in this league you've got to take your chances. Teams will let you play in certain areas of the field, but once you get near their box they quickly try and close you down, so you've got to be a bit more clever than in League One.

"We'll do okay; It isn't as though we are playing badly.

"We've just got to be a bit more ruthless in front of goal."

Looking ahead to tomorrow's game, Byfield said: "Bristol are a very good side. They've got some good players and they will do well.

"I think that they surprised a lot of people last year by how well they did because people didn't expect them to be up there, having just being promoted.

"But they are a good side who play good football and they've got a good manager in Gary Johnson."

Byfield will be looking to impress, though no more than in any other game.

"I don't feel that I've got anything to prove to Gary Johnson or anyone else down there.

"I'm certainly not bitter about the fact that the manager didn't offer me a new deal.

"These things happen in football. Managers are paid to manage and Gary Johnson has to do what he feels is best for the club.

"I'll be happy if we come back from there with a good result because Ashton Gate is a difficult place to go."

"I think that they only lost two or three games at home last season so it is going to be a hard game. We've just got to go there and get at them right from the start."

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