Bristol Rovers’ predicted starting line-up versus Scunthorpe United - Loft expected to start on return

They gained a respectable point away at the County Ground against play-off chasing Swindon Town on Saturday. Rovers had fallen behind to a Tyreece Simpson goal but a returning Sam Finley scored the equaliser.

Joey Barton’s side are 15th in the table and a positive result would at least move them up a place in the division. They have played the least amount of games in the division so putting those games in hand into points will be a priority.

It is why the upcoming match is a must win. The Irons are currently second from bottom in the division and if the Gas want to mount any kind of late promotion push, this is a game they must pick up maximum points from.

Keith Hill’s side have lost four of their last five matches and there is an added bit of spice that former striker Ryan Loft is now in their ranks.

Without further ado, we take a look at how Joey Barton might line his side up against the side from Lincolnshire.

As always in goals has to be James Belshaw, who has made the position his own this season. Anssi Jaakkola is of course back but Belshaw is a firm favourite of Barton and the fans. If he can keep Scunthorpe out it’ll be his sixth clean sheet of the season.

On Saturday, a 4-2-3-1 formation was deployed and there’s a belief that there will be a four man defence again. Wholesale changes don’t need to be made in that area so Josh Grant, James Connolly, Connor Taylor and Luca Hoole can all expect to start again.

One thing they will have to be careful about though is their discipline as only Connolly wasn’t booked in that defence on Saturday. Rovers have the first discipline record in the league so keeping their cards tally down will be important.

Sam Finley made a goalscoring return on Saturday though there is some debate over who got the last touch. Either way he was an important player before he served one of the longest three-game suspensions going after those postponements in December. Finley has been an engine in that midfield and he’s good from going box to box. He has the ability to pick out a pass as well as make a well-timed tackle. He should start alongside captain Paul Coutts who has got better game by game.

In the attack, perhaps including Luke Thomas for Sam Nicholson could be an option to freshen things up, partnering Antony Evans as the two attacking midfielders in a 4-2-2-2 formation.

Up front would be Aaron Collins, who is the club’s top scorer this season. He didn’t find the net against Swindon but a team like Scunthorpe could be a team he could thrive against. Given his recent form as well as his confidence, you can’t drop him.

Lastly is Ryan Loft, who should make a start against his former side. He’s got four points in his first two games as a player and is unbeaten, but fans will want to see an impact. Given Loft knows the strengths of his former side, it would be best to utilise him against them given he’s played against them in training.

Loft though will have to start finding his shooting boots soon though as the return of Leon Clarke may put some pressure on him.

Jordan Jones’ Bristol Rovers line-up against Scunthorpe United: James Belshaw, Josh Grant, James Connolly, Connor Taylor, Luca Hoole, Sam Finley, Paul Coutts, Luke Thomas, Antony Evans, Aaron Collins, Ryan Loft.