IF a new manager bounce was something to be aware of when Exeter City travelled to Burton Albion on Saturday, then they are facing a similar situation for the sell-out Westcountry derby with Bristol Rovers on Boxing Day.

After a 2-0 defeat at Birmingham City, Rovers opted to part company with their former Grecians player and manager Matt Taylor after a year in charge at the Mem. He left them two points above the dropzone in League One and after six wins in 19 league games so far this campaign.

It remains to be seen who is in the dugout on Boxing Day. Interim manager David Horseman was at the helm for their 1-1 home draw with Wrexham at the weekend but their first choice – German Michael Wimmer – is unable to take the job after an unsuccessful appeal against the Home Office’s rejection of his work permit.

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Now, Brighton & Hove Albion’s Spanish Under-18s head coach Inigo Calderon has emerged as the new bookies favourite, but it seems unlikely that he will be in charge in time for the match at St James Park.

“They have an interim manager and he has changed slightly and got a big result against a really dangerous team and a team that’s been flying high all season, so it shows they are a difficult team to play against and we have to be prepared for that,” Exeter boss Gary Caldwell said.

“They have obviously changed their manager and there is a potential manager coming in, so we have to be pretty flexible in that regard so that if things do change, we are ready to adapt.

“We know they will be a physical team, we know they will be up for it, it’s a local derby but, as always, we have to focus on ourselves. That was a big thing on Saturday, that we went back to being ourselves and showing our identity and way of playing and if we stick to that in the coming weeks, then I am sure we can show every team against us how good we are and make them worry about us.”

Indeed, Caldwell is right. It was similar in the build up to last week’s clash with Burton Albion, who appointed Gary Bowyer in the build up to the game. Caldwell said then it was all about his side and what they did on the day and what they did was secure an excellent 2-1 win with goals from Josh Magennis and a stunner from Millenic Alli.

“It was a brilliant win and a great performance after a difficult start and going a goal down, a new manager, a stadium full of hope and optimism,” Caldwell said. “The way we controlled the game, we played with real conviction, personality and belief in the plan of how we were going to win the game.

“We stayed patient when we had to, I think we can still be better in the final third and score even more goals and that is something we are going to challenge the players with. But their effort, their application and commitment to go and win the game was exceptional and we thoroughly deserved to win the game.”

As good as the win was, though, it came at a cost with influential French defender Tristan Crama limping off with a hamstring injury. That came after it was announced captain Pierce Sweeney is facing two months on the sidelines, while Johnly Yfeko – the third of City’s first choice back three – is still coming back from a hamstring issue of his own.

“We have to play and recover and get the team ready to keep winning, to keep playing at a level,” Caldwell said. “I think everyone is going to be needed so the squad has to be ready to fill in. Obviously there are injuries to Sweenz and Tristan and the games are so quick, that other things are going to be other things that happen and everyone is going to have to contribute in the next ten days to two weeks.

“It’s a challenge and it’s where staff - I talk about players recovering, but staff have to be recovered and ready,” Caldwell said. “We have to be bang at it every day and give players energy and what they need to be at their very best come kick-off time.

“Everyone will be pushed to the limit, but it’s a privilege to be involved in football at this time of year and we have to give the players everything.

“Monday was a bit different in terms of some players were recovering, some need a little bit of training and some need more training. The sports science and medical department are fantastic at dealing with knowing what the players need and we, as coaches, obviously provide the tactical plans and put that in place come game time.

“It helps not having to travel. We know how difficult that is because we travel more than anyone in the league, we had another good win at Burton on Saturday and our away form this calendar year is incredible for the amount of travel we do.

“It’s good to be at home when we have this period of so many fixtures and then we will be on our travels again. To have home games at SJP over Christmas is really special and we are looking forward to it.”