Bristol Rovers boost as key player makes himself available for Crawley clash

Antony Evans has made himself available for team selection in Bristol Rovers’ Carabao Cup clash with Crawley Town tonight.

The 23-year-old is one of the most important players in the Gas squad right now, so his availability is a boost.

Evans played alongside Sam Finley in the centre of a 4-4-2 formation against Burton Albion on Saturday.

Given the priority for Rovers will be to preserve their League One status, he may have been afforded a rest this evening, but is making himself available to Joey Barton to start.

Asked whether he was keen to play against Crawley Town, he responded to the club’s official media channels: “I’m always looking to be available for selection for every single game whether the gaffer chooses to play me or not that is down to him.”

The talisman got off the mark on the weekend as he began Rovers’ ruthless scoring streak against Burton.

A foul on teammate Aaron Collins, resulting in a red card allowed him to shoot from a reasonable shooting area.

On the edge of the box, Evans curled a low shot past the goalkeeper for his first goal at third tier level.

He had spells with both Blackpool and Crewe Alexandra, but it was Rovers that he opened his account for in a new division.

He said: “It was definitely a red card, we all felt. I thought he was going to give it for the earlier foul but then we saw Azza (Aaron Collins) get on and got fouled, either way it was a free-kick but but I’m happier it’s the closer one because it fell much more comfortable for me.

“We work a screen sometimes so the keepers blindsided so we can go over the wall or both sides so I decided to go that side.

“We’re always looking to improve our numbers and it’s good to get off the mark for me and Azza is flying as always.

“I’m happy to get on the score sheet and long may it continue.”

A crushing 4-0 win over Burton was the perfect response to an opening day defeat to Forest Green Rovers at the Memorial Stadium last week.

From the victory, Rovers shot up the table to eigth position, ahead of their next league match against Oxford United on Saturda early afternoon.

“Getting the first three points on the board is massive,” he said.

“We didn’t start the season we wanted to last week. Today we came out and put in a great performance.”