Mansfield Town skipper Ryan Sweeney relishing sibling rivalry clash at Stevenage with brother Dan

“It is always good to come up against my brother for us and for our families,” smiled Ryan, who at 28 is three years younger than fellow centre half Dan.

“We are best mates off the pitch and speak about football all the time.

“But when we get out there we half-hate each other and would do anything to try to win a game for our respective clubs.

“We will have a laugh before a game. But once the whistle goes it's business as usual.

“It probably helps that we are on opposite sides of the pitch so we don't come up against each other too much unless it's corners and things like that.”

Ryan admits he owes much to his brother.

“As youngsters there was probably a bit of older brother bullying,” he smiled.

“But our mum and dad used to take us to watch him play – he was a bit more of a dynamic midfielder then.

“That was where my love of the game came from, Standing on parks through sun, wind and rain watching him play. It made me want to start and he has massively helped me along my journey.

“We speak pretty much every day and watch each other when we can.”

With Ryan following his brother's game closely, Stags will certainly have the inside knowledge on their opponents.

“I feel like I know Stevenage as well as us,” said Ryan.

“Dan has been there for about three and a half years now, so I know their group really well.

“It is always an incredibly difficult game going down there – you know what you're going to get.

“They have gone through a slight sticky patch, but I think the biggest credit you can give Stevenage is that I don't think they have had to look over their shoulders too many times since they came up.

“They are incredibly consistent in what they do and a very good side who will provide a very difficult test for us on Saturday.

“They recruited really well in the summer and brought in some forward players who have been very good at this level.

“They are very good physically – a big, strong side.

“But sometimes people underestimate how good their players actually are.

“They have some really good footballers in there.

“But on the run we are on we just need to focus on ourselves. We go there full of confidence.”