Bristol Rovers and Cambridge United injury news as several players ruled out of clash

Bristol Rovers return to League One action this weekend after their midweek win over Crystal Palace in the EFL Trophy.

Alfie Kilgour and Trevor Clarke were on hand in either half to defeat the Eagles Under-21’s at the Memorial Stadium.

Despite the competition not being a major priority for Joey Barton, it was a victory that was needed to end a long winless run.

Barton was also able to give run-outs for three players who had been on the sidelines for the past few weeks.

Josh Coburn, signed on a season-long loan from Middlesbrough, came on after finally linking up with his loan club after rehabilitating from injury at Boro.

Defensive pair James Gibbons and Lewis Gibson, both vying for the Gibbo nickname, also made an appearance.

The two came on as substitutes and now provide Barton with a dilemma as to who to choose in defence with a loyalty to a three-man defence.

So what’s the injury situation looking like for the Gas, as well as their opponents Cambridge United?

Bristol Rovers injury news

The injury situation looks to be clearing up with the list dwindling as players make a welcomed recovery.

Barton earlier this week told BristolLive that winger Harry Anderson was allowed a rest. He bruised his foot in the defeat to Ipswich Town last month and had injections to get him through the pain barrier, which ruled him out of Rovers’ last two matches.

Anderson however could return to the match-day squad after training on Thursday, which could make him at least a part of the substitutes bench.

Barton said: “We’ll assess him in the morning but he will come back into the matchday squad. He had bruising in his right foot and when the pain medication wore off, it was really gnarly for him. He’s alright."

Whilst several players returned against Crystal Palace, a number of players suffered injuries, including summer signing John Marquis. He was forced off at half-time with an injury as was Alfie Kilgour, who opened the scoring against Palace. A kick to the head earlier in the match left him dizzy at the time and with concussion protocols in place, he may have to sit out the match.

Sylvester Jasper, who delivered a solid first-half display on his first start, had a knock from encountering some challenges but is expected to be fit.

Youngster Jerry Lawrence who has been named on the bench a few times has a groin issue. Lawrence has since resumed training but being included in a match-day squad is still a few weeks off.

A stress fracture in James Connolly’s back has seen him sidelined for the last six weeks but he has now been given the green-light to return shortly. The 20-year-old will miss out against Cambridge United and likely MK Dons, but will resume full-contact training within the next ten days.

Rovers’ only long-term absentee now is Josh Grant, who yesterday travelled to London to discuss his options about surgery.

Grant has played just once this season and has been plagued by a knee injury, which also impacted him last year.

Cambridge United injury news

Cambridge were in League One action on Tuesday rather than the EFL Trophy but were without three key players. Joe Ironside was out with a dead leg, whilst Harrison Dunk had a knee injury whilst Shilow Tracey missed out through illness.

All three players are set to make a return and took part in training earlier in the week as per the Cambridge Independent.

Left-back Brandon Haunstrup, signed from Kilmarnock is a few weeks away with a calf injury, whilst Jack Lankester remains a doubt after sustaining an injury against Portsmouth.

Greg Taylor meanwhile will be assessed after the 32-year-old played an entire match for just the second time this season.