REICE Charles-Cook will be aiming to shut out a very familiar face when Swindon Town go head to head with Mansfield Town this afternoon, writes NEIL BECK.

The 23-year-old keeper played alongside Stags dangerman Danny Rose at Bury during the 2013-14 season, which was also Town manager David Flitcroft’s first in charge of the Shakers.

Rose has bagged 15 goals so far this term, including one in each of his last two matches, as Mansfield have climbed into fifth spot in the League Two table.

“Mansfield have some good-quality players,” said Charles-Cook.

“They have the threat of Danny Rose, who is a good friend of mine, and we’ve got to kill that threat early doors.

“The gaffer is very detailed and his meetings are brilliant. We know each player thoroughly and just need to stay on task.

“We’ve just got to keep going and keep winning games and keep up the pressure. We go into every game looking for a win and it’ll be the same against Mansfield.”

Having served his footballing apprenticeship at Arsenal, Charles-Cook was handed his senior debut by Flitcroft midway through Bury’s 0-0 draw at Southend United in March 2014 and was delighted to have the chance to link up with his former boss again when he made the switch from Coventry City in August.

“The gaffer gave me my debut when I was 18 or 19 and brought me on (for Brian Jensen) at half-time at Southend,” recalled Charles-Cook.

“He said ‘Cooky get warm, you’re coming on’ and I was in at the deep end. He’s always been real with me from start to finish and has never changed the way he has coached.

“We both have respect for one another.

“I learned a lot at Arsenal – it was a different world – but since I left there I have learned to play different styles of football.

“It’s been an unbelievable journey and I’m only 23. I just want it to continue.”

Charles-Cook, a fixture in the side since replacing Lawrence Vigouroux for Town’s 1-0 win over Notts County on December 30, says the switch to a 3-5-2 formation which has proved largely effective in recent weeks has not been too difficult to get used to.

“There is more safety around you and it feels like there is more cover,” he said.

“As a goalkeeper, I don’t really mind. I just need to communicate the same, it’s just one extra body.

“You get to play out more but we are very direct and have had a lot of success for it.”