Darren Moore looking to get one over old mate Michael Appleton as Doncaster Rovers host Lincoln City

Two of football management’s best built men go head to head as Doncaster Rovers host Lincoln City this afternoon.

But any comparisons of muscle size will only be good natured between good mates Darren Moore and Michael Appleton - though the Rovers boss has fired the first shot.

A relationship that began during their time at West Bromwich Albion strengthened further when Moore was appointed first team coach at Blackburn Rovers during Appleton’s tenure as manager.

And they compete today as peers, with Rovers looking to get back on track against the League One leaders.

“We know each other well,” Moore said.

“I look forward to seeing him. It’s great to see what he’s doing with his team.

“He would seem quiet but he’s very funny. He’s got his ways and he’s very funny with his one-liners.

“He knows the game. He knows what he wants and after him having a couple of years between jobs it’s good to see him settling down and enjoying his football again as a manager.

“It’s where he should be.

“He’s building again. He’s got the appetite, he knows what he wants and he’s at a club now where he feels he can fulfil those ambitions and move it forward.

“He’s doing that at this moment in time.

“It’s great to see him doing so well. He’s had a great start to the season.

“Both teams will lock horns and it’ll be good to see him after the game and catch-up.

“We’re two personal friends. We’ll be lifetime friends and very much stay in contact with each other.”

Lincoln have lost just one of their opening nine league matches and boast the division’s best defensive record.

And Moore today’s game is one he is greatly looking forward to.

“The league table does not lie,” he said. “They are there because they deserve to be.

“They’ve started the season very well and they’ve maintained it.

“They’ve got the right players in the right spaces and they’re playing at the top of their game.

“They possess a huge threat. They play forward and do so very quickly, get numbers around the ball and support the play.

“It’s a great game, the league leaders coming into town.”