FOREST GREEN Rovers have completed the transfer of Mike Fowler from Blue Square Premier rivals Salisbury City.

Fowler replaces brother Lee at The New Lawn after he decided on a switch to Kettering Town in the close season.

The duo are likely to meet head to head when the Poppies visit Forest Green on the opening day of the Blue Square season.

A former Welsh Youth international, Barry-born Fowler, 27, began his career with Crystal Palace, joining Salisbury in 2007.

Although first-team appearances were limited due to an injury, he returned to fitness in time to help the Whites secure promotion to the Blue Square Premier, scoring his first goal for the club in the play-off semi final second leg against Bishop's Stortford.

He was a regular at City last season, helping them reach the highest position they have achieved so far in football.

Mike Fowler has been given squad number 20 and from comments by Rovers boss Jim Harvey at a fans forum on Thursday it is probable that the midfielder will be handed the captain's armband for the coming season.

He trained with his new team-mates yesterday for the first time and is in the starting line-up for the visit of League One Charlton Athletic this afternoon.

That match will see the last two winners of the Blue Square Premier's Golden Boot come face-to-face as former Rovers striker Stuart Fleetwood lines up against his successor Andy Mangan.

Fleetwood became hot-property with his record-breaking goalscoring exploits for Forest Green two seasons ago, netting 42 goals for the club and attracting the interest of a number of League clubs, eventually joining Charlton for a fee of around £100,000.

After failing to break into the first-team at the Valley, he joined Cheltenham Town on loan last September, netting two goals in seven appearances during a month at Whaddon Road.

He then spent two months with Brighton, before linking up with Exeter in March.

Charlton, who were relegated to League One last season, are currently the subject of a takeover bid and Fleetwood is once more attracting interest, most notably from Exeter.

However, until any deal is completed it is unlikely that the club will accept any bids for their current playing staff and Fleetwood has been named in the squad for the trip to Nailsworth.

Forest Green will go into the match full of confidence after opening their pre-season campaign convincingly.

Mangan took just 69 seconds to get their season off to a flying start as they cruised to a 5-0 win over FTL Futbol Hellenic League Premier Division side Malmesbury Victoria.

Rovers led 4-0 at the break thanks to further goals from Lee Ayres, Paul Lloyd and David Brown.

A last minute own goal from Malmesbury sealed the win.