Bristol Rovers injury crisis deepens after midfielder blow plus defender ‘touch and go’ for Burton

Bristol Rovers' injury crisis has worsened after one of their star midfielders was ruled out potentially until the New Year.

The Gas have been hit with several medium and long-term injuries over the opening three months of the campaign, and now another player is entering the treatment room. Luke McCormick has suffered a training ground injury on Tuesday, and results show that he could be out from between the end of November to the near end of December.

The 24-year-old has been hit with several injury and selection problems since returning to the Memorial Stadium for a second spell in the summer of 2023, however he had been turning a corner. He started and scored in the 3-0 win against Port Vale, and also played an hour in their last match against Oxford United.

"He's rocked his ankle," said Barton.

"It's a training ground tackle on Tuesday. I'm not a physio but he's had a scan and it's going to be at least six weeks, maybe eight, maybe ten depending on how quickly it heals. Gutted for him because he's just found his place in the starting 11, and he's started to show everybody what he is capable of.

"It was a training ground collision, it was avoidable and it means he's going to miss a period of games, and so I am gutted for him.”

McCormick’s injury limits Rovers’ midfield numbers, but there is one piece of positive news and that is Grant Ward is back in contention. Ward has been out since the end of August with an Achilles problem, but has recovered from that injury and could now take his place in the squad on Saturday. Talisman Jevani Brown however is suspended having been shown two yellow cards in the defeat to Oxford.

The manager could also be forced into making a change at right-back however with Jack Hunt described as ‘touch and go’. Luca Hoole could be brought back into the side having played for Wales’ under-21’s over the last fortnight should Hunt not be available.

“If there's an opportunity for some freshness and to freshen the lads up, you have to take that,” said an optimistic Barton. “We've used the break to hopefully get a few bodies back, but unfortunately that hasn't materialised.

“We've got one or two back, we've got Grant Ward back but in the midst of that we've lost Luke McCormick and Jack Hunt is going to be touch-and-go for the game Saturday.

“We've got a squad for a reason and it's exciting because it creates opportunities elsewhere in the team. There's been lads chomping at the bit for a chance, and obviously players getting injured and players with suspensions with Jevani being out, it gives people opportunities for people to step in and show what they can do.”