TAUNTON Town have been boosted by the return of a familiar face ahead of their Bank Holiday Monday derby clash with Tiverton Town (ko 3pm).

Brett Trowbridge, 32, is back for his third spell at the club, adding useful versatility to Leigh Robinson's squad as a player who can fill in at centre-back or in central midfield.

He captained the Peacocks during the 2016/17 season, but missed most of the last campaign due to a facial injury, before departing in the summer for new Southern League side Street.

However, he found himself playing at hometown club Bridgwater Town in order to gain fitness - helping Bridgwater beat Brislington 6-0 on Saturday - and has now rejoined Taunton.

He is eligible for today's match away to Tiverton, boosting Robinson's options given the need to rotate players from Saturday's draw with Hendon.

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Robinson told the County Gazette: "You want to have your key players out on Saturday, but hope they come through unscathed for Monday.

"The modern game is so physical, we will have no choice but to rotate."

Regarding the Tiverton rivalry, the Taunton manager added: "We understand the personal pride of the fans, but we’re working towards a required number of wins.

"It’s a derby, the players know each other – it’ll be a nice change for us, as we’ve played a lot of new teams this season.

"We’re all looking forward to it but there’s no special emphasis.

"The best team between Taunton and Tiverton will be decided by the league table at the end of April."

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TAUNTON Town fans do not have fond memories of their last meeting with Tiverton Town.

The local rivals met in the 2016/17 league playoff semi-finals, and the hosts won 3-1 at Ladysmead.

The Yellows, of course, went on to beat Salisbury in the final, earning promotion to the Premier Division – where they placed sixth last season, just outside the playoffs.

One season on, Taunton and Salisbury have made the jump up to renew acquaintances with Tivvy.

Of the teams who finished above them last season, only Weymouth have not been promoted or transferred out of Premier Division South, which makes Martyn Rogers’ side one of the favourites this time around.

Rogers may downplay that, but his team have started brilliantly – winning three from three to start with, and then remaining unbeaten with a 2-2 draw at Harrow Borough on Saturday.

The Peacocks are familiar with much of the Tivvy squad – Ben Mammola, Jamie Price and Jordan Rogers are all ex-Taunton men – but as ever the man to stop is frontman Levi Landricombe.

Taunton are fortunate that Exeter City’s Joel Randall, on loan at the Viridor Stadium last year and now Tiverton, is injured.