Bristol Rovers to be without key two players for Bradford City after Joey Barton rules them out

Bristol Rovers manager Joey Barton has revealed that Antony Evans and Nick Anderton will not play a part against Bradford City.

The two players were the changes to what had been a settled Gas side for the past four matches, but injuries forced him into shuffling his deck.

Glenn Whelan came in the place of Evans whilst Harry Anderson dropped to left-back for Anderton with Sam Nicholson making a return after a four-game absence.

Neither players have featured in training this week for the match and are heavily unlikely to feature.

“Both are probably going to miss Saturday,” he confirmed in his pre-match press conference.

“Hopefully the week beyond that they might have a chance but at this moment they will miss the game.”

Speaking particularly on Evans, who played through the entirety of the match, he picked up an injury in the 1-0 win against Northampton Town.

“He just picked up an impact injury and it’s rumbled on. His calf is still a little bit more. In the early part I think it’s better the past couple of days.

“He hasn’t joined back in with the group. I don’t envisage him doing too much tomorrow so it takes him out of the reckoning for Saturday.”

“We’re hoping for the Tranmere game and beyond that, he and Nick will train next week and be available.”

Then moving on to left-back Anderton, the 25-year-old’s injury is slightly different as it was non impact and picked up in training. He had been in contention last week but failed a late fitness test and has not recovered in time to feature.

“He just kicked the ball away and got a little tweak. It’s a bit similar to what Ryan Loft did when he missed that period of time.

“Both lads have had their scans and have been assessed and it is a matter of days rather than any significant period of time.

“It’s a bit frustrating for the two of them that Saturday’s game will come a little bit too soon for them.

“The fact though that it is days though and they aren’t going to miss as much game time.”

There is a major boost for Barton though as utility man Josh Grant is pushing ever closer to a return after taking part in full training with the first-team squad.

Grant has not been seen since the 1-1 draw with Sutton United back in February, missing the last 13 games, which is his second spell out on the sidelines.

The 23-year-old though is close to pushing his way back into Barton’s plans and should he get through the next few training sessions, he could find himself back amongst the 18-man squad.

He said: “I’m buzzing to see Josh back out there, it always brightens my day when I see him back out on the grass. He’s joined back in with the lads today and got a bit of training.

“It’s good, hopefully he comes through the session with flying colours and tomorrow he is good to go. He may come in to the match day squad depending on how he is in the next 48 hours but I’m delighted to see him back.”