LAST season Joe Day was playing to the sound of silence at the Memorial Stadium but this afternoon the Newport County AFC goalkeeper is braced for a boisterous atmosphere.

The 31-year-old spent the start of the year with the Gas, making 18 appearances on loan from Cardiff City.

Day was unable to prevent Rovers being relegated from League One and that means he will have a return to a ground where he played behind closed doors.

The home faithful weren’t able to cheer him on last season and now he is braced for the Bristol barbs along with backing from 1,000 away fans.

South Wales Argus: RETURN: Joe Day in action for Bristol RoversRETURN: Joe Day in action for Bristol Rovers

“It won’t be my first derby against Rovers playing for Newport. I know what to expect and it’s great to have the fans back,” said Day, who is the sole County survivor from the 4-1 win in the west country in 2015 in the absence of the injured Scot Bennett.

“It should be a great atmosphere and we are all looking forward to it. Our away support is always fantastic and I am sure they will be able to play a big part in the game, the away end can be quite loud at the Memorial Stadium.”

Day returned to Rodney Parade from Cardiff City Stadium in the summer and has been followed by new boss James Rowberry, who left his role as first team coach at the Bluebirds for the top job at County.

“It’s been really positive. I know him from my time in Cardiff, I know what he is about and it’s very exciting for the club,” said the ‘keeper, who currently has the starting spot ahead of Nick Townsend.

“We’ve not had a lot of time to get into things deeply but he has shared things he wants to get across and made it clear what we are going to aim for.

“He is a very enthusiastic and positive person with a great knowledge of the game. From my experience he is a fantastic coach who will bring his own ideas and add little bits to continue the good work of Michael Flynn.”

Rowberry was in the stands to watch County’s 2-2 draw with Carlisle on Tuesday, a frustrating game that turned with a penalty on the hour that saw midfielder Ed Upson red-carded for deliberate handball.

Day was forced into heroics to help earn a point, with one stunning save at the death when the Exiles were down to nine men after Ryan Haynes’ dismissal.

"In a game which we should have had three points from and seen it out comfortably we ended up holding on for a point," he said.

"That's disappointing but we showed character with nine men and take the positives, we go to Bristol confident after four games unbeaten."