Bristol Rovers fresh injury setback leaves Joey Barton without four players

Jordan Rossiter faces a longer spell out on the sidelines after he didn’t resume training at Bristol Rovers. It had been thought initially that the former Liverpool midfielder could return this month, but now that is unlikely.

Rossiter has been out since the middle of December, and has been missing for the last five League One matches. He suffered a meniscus injury against MK Dons in the EFL Trophy, and that has made him unavailable for selection.

Rossiter had built up a strong midfield partnership with Sam Finley and the pair were flouring but Rovers have had to do without the dynamic duo. Paul Coutts has since returned and filled in Rossiter’s absence, with no other issues in the central midfield.

The 25-year-old could return following the conclusion of the January transfer window, with central midfield an area that Barton could look to strengthen in.

“He is not on the grass,” said manager Joey Barton when asked about a team update. You are looking at possibly after the window closes for Jordan, it might be February.”

Another on the sidelines is on-loan Everton centre-back Lewis Gibson, who has suffered an injury setback. Gibson has already played more times than his loan spell at Sheffield Wednesday this season, but had difficulties at the start of his loan spell.

The 22-year-old has played 19 games this season, playing starting 15 of them. Gibson had recently been tried at left-back as Barton searches for a line-up that will give him defensive solidity.

“Lewis Gibson is going to be a little bit longer than we anticipated,” admitted Barton.

“Mainly because he’s had problems in that area before so we just have to be careful with him. But we still feel we have enough quality.”

As well as Gibson and Rossiter being out injured, Barton is also unable to call upon two members of last season’s promotion-winning squad Harry Anderson and Josh Grant. Grant underwent two surgeries to rectify a knee problem and Anderson has suffered a setback with a groin injury.