FOREST Green boss Ady Pennock has made use of his personal friendship with Crystal Palace boss Tony Pulis to secure a pre-season friendly with the Premiership outfit.

Pennock worked under Pulis at Stoke City for six years and played under at Bournemouth and Gillingham.

The LMA Premier League Manager of the Year will bring his first team to the New Lawn on Saturday, August 2, 3pm..

Pulis played a key role in Pennock landing job at Rovers after he made a personal phone call to chairman Dale Vince.

“ I am delighted Tony has agreed to bring Palace to Forest Green.

"Tony and myself are great friends and he has worked wonders at Palace to secure their survival in the top flight but that was something that didn’t surprise me when he took over."

Last seasaon, Pennock made use of his Palace connections by bringing Eagles’ defender Jerome Binnom-Williams on a month long loan deal.

Rovers will also face Championship outfit Birmingham City on Tuesday, July 15, 7.45pm.