Bristol Rovers match postponed after call-ups for Aston Villa and Liverpool starlets

Bristol Rovers' League One match with Shrewsbury Town next week (Saturday, March 25) has been postponed because of three international call-ups.

Lamare Bogarde was called up to the Netherlands' Under-20's squad, which has passed the EFL's threshold of grounds to call off a match. If any team has three or more players called up for international duty then they can request a postponement and that has been granted.

Bogarde was called up on the same day that Jarell Quansah was for the England Under-20's, and his inclusion, is a sigh of relief as it will allow for a two-week break, and will mean that Rovers are not without their young stars.

Luca Hoole was named in the Wales Under-21 squad earlier this week, and all three players will jet off with their respective countries. Rovers are not scheduled to play until until Friday, April 7, which is Good Friday, because their match against Plymouth Argyle. They then face Fleetwood Town on Monday, April 10, and now the match with Steve Cotterill’s men will have to be re-scheduled.

Hoole has a friendly match against Scotland on Sunday, March 26, whilst Liverpool starlet Quansah will face Germany (March 22) in Manchester, as well as the USA (March 25) and France (March 28) in Marbella. As for Bogarde, the Dutch will play France during the international break.

It is the third time that Hoole has been called up for Wales, after making his debut against Gibraltar in an EURO qualifier last summer. The 20-year-old played in a friendly against Austria in September, and that ruled him out against Accrington Stanley. Hoole had gone through a difficult spell during the season and was limited to substitute appearances, but has recently found himself as a starting player.

The Newport-born right-back, who can also play as a right-sided centre-back, missed the midweek loss to Wycombe Wanderers through illness, but started the last three matches, and scored a header in the 3-0 win against Oxford United last month.

Despite the fact that he will be without one of his best performing players in recent weeks, Barton said: "I’m proud of him and I’m delighted for him, he’s gone through a tough spell. He’s got himself back in the team, he has worked really hard in his game, and has overcome adversity.

"He has shown the resilience that you want to see in a young person. It's why he’s been called up by his country again. He’s a top kid. Hopefully we get more of them. It’s good we are getting international call-ups, great for our players to get recognised by their countries."