Bristol Rovers injury latest as star midfielder making push for Burton Albion

Bristol Rovers were without some key players in their opening day 2-1 defeat to Forest Green Rovers.

The Gas were able to name an 18-man squad though only two players came off of the bench from a possible five, whilst player-coach Glenn Whelan was also named on the bench.

A number of youth players were on the bench but currently the emphasis is on recruiting new players that are more capable of playing at this level.

Joey Barton will address the press on Thursday as to where the squad are at ahead of a trip to Staffordshire.

Here is the latest update ahead of the trip to Burton Albion on the weekend as Rovers look in search of their first points of the campaign.

Sam Finley

The absence of Finley was felt in the middle of the park in the defeat to FGR at the Mem on Saturday.

In his place was Zain Westbrooke, perhaps more suited to playing higher up the pitch with Barton admitting that him starting would have surprised him had he told himself that a few months ago.

Finley was only named as a substitute in the final game of preseason against Stoke City, owing to an illness, though he has since recovered from that.

A groin injury picked up in the intrasquad friendly match meant that Finley had missed out on the season opener. Finley is expected to be monitored through the week and was described as ‘touch and go’ by Joey Barton.

Possible return date: Burton Albion (A) - 50/50

Paul Coutts

Club captain Paul Coutts wasn’t involved last Saturday as he is still serving a suspension that has carried over from last season. He has an injury niggle but given he won’t be back in contention until the fixture against Oxford United, it allows him more time to overcome any issues.

Possible return date: Oxford United (H)

Josh Grant

Utility man Josh Grant barely featured in pre-season for Rovers after sustaining an injury before the behind-closed-doors match against Swansea. He injured his knee and is set to be out for the next fortnight or so. Grant had struggled with a foot injury from February onwards, sidelining him for two months before he returned for the end-of-season run-in.

Possible return date:

Alex Rodman

Missing the entirety of Rovers’ pre-season schedule to a back injury, Rodman is not expected to be in a match day squad for the coming weeks. The 35-year-old has a back injury and hasn’t taken part in training with his teammates.

A broken foot is what previously sidelined him last season and despite stepping up his recovery last year to be named on the substitute’s bench in their final two fixtures, he is not a part of Barton’s plans. Rodman signed a new deal with former CEO Martyn Starnes in 2021 on considerably reduced terms.

Possible return date: TBC