Bristol Rovers hope to put their FA Cup disappointment against Norwich City behind them as they host Blackpool at the Memorial Stadium in the Sky Bet League One.
The Gas took the lead against the Canaries through Luke McCormick but could not hold on and eventually lost 3-1. A trip to Anfield was on the cards for Matt Tayor's side but now they've got a triple-header of league fixtures against Blackpool, Exeter City and Oxford United coming up in the next week. Ahead of kick-off there are three places that separate the two sides with an eight-point difference. Rovers can narrow the gap with a victory but are at least guaranteed they will not drop out of the top 12 should they not pick up maximum points.
Saturday's opponents Blackpool played on the same day and were the televisied fixture on ITV4. The Seasiders were 2-0 down before Albie Morgan and Kyle Joseph took the game to extra-time but Chris Wood netted the winner in the 110th minute. Blackpool had an injury concern pop up when goalkeeper Dan Grimshaw was forced off with an impact injury, and that has made him a doubt for the weekend.
Grant Ward - a League One play-off winner with Blackpool - will not come up against his former club. He injured his hamstring earlier this month against Norwich and is expected to be out for a month-and-a-half. Midfield is an area of concern for Rovers with former Fleetwood Town midfielder Sam Finley currently playing through the pain barrier and this game might take its toll on the club captain.
Both Taylor and Neil Critchley are contending with injury problems, with some definitely ruled out and others being doubts Here's the latest injury and team news ahead of the clash.
1. Daniel Grimshaw - doubt
Ever present for Blackpool in League One this season but was forced off against Nottingham Forest on Wednesday night. Former Bristol City goalkeeper Richard O'Donnell replaced him.
2. Daniel Grimshaw - doubt (continued)
Neil Critchley said on January 17: "We’ll have to assess him, he went into a collision for Forest’s second goal,” he explained. "It was a contact injury to his arm, and any injury to a goalkeeper’s arm is a problem- he just lost power in it a little bit and just had tingling sensations, so we had to bring him off. Hopefully it’s not too serious.
3. Kenny Dougall - doubt
Been used on a sporadic basis over the last month. Dougall has been made available for transfer and might not feature at the weekend.
4. Kenny Dougall - doubt (continued)
"He’s got the possibility of moving overseas- that’s something that’s been rumbling on in the background and we’re hoping that will be resolved very soon," said Neil Critchley on January 17 "It is what it is, we’ve known the situation, and we’re hopeful it’ll take care of itself in the next few days. "It’s been going on for a little while, and it’s a chance for Kenny to go overseas, but there’s complications with that, but hopefully that’ll be cleared up as soon as possible. "He’s been here for a long time. We’re in January so that helps, but we’re always looking to improve the squad and you always need a succession plan for players coming to the end of their contract. "We communicate all the time about transfers, and that work will continue.”