Bristol Rovers rival dealt major injury blow as Sheff Wed man closer to new deal

Bristol Rovers are in FA Cup action this weekend as they host Rochdale at the Memorial Stadium. The League Two side are just outside the relegation zone ahead of the clash.

With the season almost at the half-way point for most clubs, two of the next four weeks of November will see world football’s oldest competition take centre stage. The Gas enter at the first round stage and will be firm favourites for a team in a lower division and fighting for their Football League status.

The football calendar is slightly disjointed with several League One matches played in midweek, whilst the EFL Trophy still has several fixtures left to be played. As we wait for Rovers to return to action, here is a look at some of the latest news from around League One...

Anxious Argyle wait for Mumba

Plymouth Argyle risk losing loanee Bali Mumba to parent club Norwich City, who may consider recalling him. Mumba has played 16 times this season with seven goal contributions, and was praised by Joey Barton recently.

Canaries boss Dean Smith said that a decision is ‘too early’ to make a decision but that the four-week break for the World Cup would allow them to track his progress. He would be able to return to Carrow Road in January.

“(The loan) is what he needed,” Smith said to the Eastern Daily Press. “We felt it was going to be hard for him to get the games here, although with the injuries that we had, he probably would have got games. Hindsight’s wonderful when you’ve got it.”

Agony for Azaz and Argyle

League leaders Plymouth are to be without Finn Azaz for the next two months after sustaining an injury. Azaz scored a Goal of the Season contender at the Mem in the 2-2 draw but now faces a spell on the sidelines.

Plymouth Live report that the on-loan Aston Villa midfielder is out for the next 10-12 weeks because of a serious injury on his right ankle. He has six goals and three assists in 18 appearances.

New contract hope for Sheff Wednesday midfielder

Darren Moore says that he is hopeful that Fisayo Dele-Bashiru wants to sign a new deal with Sheffield Wednesday.

Dele-Bashiru is out-of-contract in the summer and there had been reported interest from Championship clubs including Bristol City. The 21-year-old has played 12 times in the league this season and has scored four goals.

"We are talking at the moment. The boy is happy here,” Moore said to The Star. "He wants to stay here and we want him to stay here but we understand from a contractual point of view that it has got to be right for all parties.

Ex-Rovers boss awaits ban verdict

Ex-Gas boss Ben Garner is waiting to see whether he will serve a touchline ban after a red card in an eight-goal thriller. Garner was sent off after Charlton Athletic drew 4-4 with Ipswich Town as he watched on from the stands with his team scoring twice in stoppage time.

In his post-match interview, the ex-Crystal Palace coach said: ““The referee today spent most of the time before the game telling my staff that he’s a Championship referee. “The EFL need to look at that, if that’s the case. He’s not good enough for League One.”

London News Online claim that Scott Marshall and Anthony Hayes could take charge for their FA Cup tie with Coalville Town if he was absent.