Bristol Rovers dealt major blow as influential player set to miss League Two promotion run-in

Bristol Rovers will be without their captain Paul Coutts for the remaining fixtures and potential League Two play-offs.

A bid to overturn Coutts’ red card which was picked up in the chaos of the Gas’ 4-3 win over Rochdale was unsuccessful.

The 33-year-old was shown a straight red and as it was a second dismissal of the season, it means an extra game has been added, which sees him miss four games.

Should Rovers have to go through the play-offs for promotion then he will miss both the semi-finals and potential final at Wembley Stadium on May 28.

If Rovers finish in third then he will miss the final day fixture against Scunthorpe United as well as the first three games of the League One season.

The Scottish midfielder was dismissed for violent conduct following an off-the-ball incident which Ross Joyce was made aware of.

It comes as a big blow as Coutts this season has played 39 times in the league, starting 35 of them, captaining the side during their upturn in form.

Joey Barton may now turn to Glenn Whelan, who has played a bit-part role following the full return from injury of Sam Finley and the influence of Coutts.

Whelan started in the 1-0 defeat away to Carlisle United back in March, as well as games against Barrow and Newport County but has found his playing time limited.

For the last two matches he was an unused substitute whilst the two games previous he came on as a substitute, accumulating just 11 minutes of pitch time.

In total the 38-year-old has made 18 starts this season, being substituted in 12 times whilst also failing to come on in seven occasions.

There is no worry from the Rovers coaching staff though as last week, first-team coach Kevin Bond said that there could be at least four or five seasons in the Republic of Ireland international’s career.

“I speak to Glenn about this, while you’re as fit as him and free of injury, still enjoying the game and as capable as he absolutely is, play for as long as you possibly can,” he said in an interview to The 42.

“He can play past 40, he could go and play for another four or five years the way he carries himself.

“I am sure that he will go into coaching at some stage, you can see that side to him, but however much he enjoys coaching it won’t come close to being able to play.”