Bristol Rovers injury news for Oxford United as Matt Taylor set to welcome pair back

Bristol Rovers boss Matt Taylor finally has some positive injury news ahead of the Gas' League One encounter with Oxford United this weekend.

Rovers head into the clash in 13th place on 34 points, seven places and 15 points behind Saturday's visitors. The Pirates are still winless in 2024 and are in desperate need of three points this weekend.

Taylor was asked whether defensive duo James Wilson and George Friend were going to be ready in time for Saturday. "Strong, high possibility because they have both trained today," said Taylor. "They have got to get through one more day, to what capacity like I said is earlier on in the week depends on probably the game and depends on the their legs as the game goes on. Whether they start or come on and affect but great to have a couple of senior ones available."

Wilson hasn't featured since the end of December and Friend has been sidelined since the defeat at Derby County in November. Gasheads will be keen to see the pair play as they bring a vast amount of experience at quality to the side. "They've done a fair amount of work and they have been on the training pitch both in an individual capacity and then with the team for a couple of weeks now," said Taylor.

After injuries to Connor Taylor and Josh Grant in midweek, Rovers will welcome back the duo with open arms, as it seems like an injury crisis in the backline has been born. "We don't feel like we have to protect them totally, but like you say there has to be a sensible decision. There is probably a middle ground somewhere but then when you lose Connor Taylor and Josh Grant it does put more emphasis on that backline, so we will assess the whole group tomorrow."

The whole squad is being tested to the maximum at the moment and players are fatigued, on top of the fact that there has been a nasty virus going around the training ground affecting the likes of Sam Finley and Chris Martin in recent weeks.

He said: "Tristan (Crama) looked a little bit leggy towards the end and obviously James Connolly coming on so early and then playing as close to a full game as he has for a long period of time, we are a little bit stretched in that department but great like I said to have a couple of senior heads back."

Defeat for Rovers on the weekend will see five consecutive defeats in all competitions, which has happened for over 11 months. Gasheads will be looking for a response from their side after what has been a tough start to 2024 for the club.