'Tough' - Bristol Rovers boss reveals reason behind Hull City stars absence

Bristol Rovers boss Matt Taylor has shed light on the mysterious absence of Hull City loanee Harry Vaughn.

The 20-year-old joined the Gas on January deadline day on loan from Hull, however the forward has made just one start for the League One club since.

“You can say he is out of favour, but he has just not been selected,” said Taylor. “He has had a tough time in terms of his input on the game. His contribution to games just hasn't quite happened for him.”

The former Oldham Athletic man, who has also represented his country, Ireland at under-19 level, has made eight appearances since his loan move. Despite his lack of game in BS7, Taylor had plenty of praise for the young Tiger.

“I think it has been a great learning curve for him,” said the 42-year-old.

“Because in the Championship at Hull, it is a cleaner game and training environment and there are cleaner moments at different stages. Whereas the game here seems to have landed on him at our level, it would be really interesting to see if he can go back to Hull and affect their first-team, or if he has to go out on loan and learn a different way and what we do does differently.”

There is no doubt that Vaughn’s time at the Gas has been tricky, but the Rovers boss hasn’t ruled out the 20-year-old can still play a part in the club’s end of season push.

Taylor added: “At times his game has just broken down with what lower league football tends to be, which is a little bit of back and forth and a little bit of it landing on you and a little bit of body against you, but he's such a talent and such a good lad as well and he can still affect it in the next four games.”

The Gas travel to relegation threatened Cheltenham Town this weekend, where former Rovers boss and legend, Darrell Clarke is at the helm of the Gloucestershire side. Rovers are winless and goalless in their last seven games and Taylor will be hoping that his team can finally break their goal scoring curse. Both sides are desperate for points, particularly Saturday's hosts, who are two points from safety, with five games to go until the end of the League One campaign.