Bristol Rovers v Barnsley injury and team news: One doubt and five ruled out

Bristol Rovers hope to build on their win over Oxford United last Saturday as they welcome Barnsley to the Memorial Stadium for their Sky Bet League One clash.

The Gas ended their seven-game run without a win in convincing fashion, scoring three goals against Oxford, which ended up with Karl Robinson losing his job as manager, despite Joey Barton's message to the U's board. Scott Sinclair opened the scoring from the spot and then Aaron Collins netted six minutes after, before Luca Hoole compounded the misery on the hosts with a bullet header in the last 15 matches.

Rovers win over Oxford relieved the pressure on Barton, and it helped distance themselves from the drop, with just 11 points to achieve now before they reach their target of 52-points set out by their manager at the start of the season. Saturday's opponents Barnsley recorded a convincing 4-1 win over promotion rivals Derby County last weekend with former transfer target Adam Phillips on target, as well as last season's loanee Luke Thomas.

Ahead of the match, we take a look at the injury and team news in both the Bristol Rovers and Barnsley camps ahead of kick-off at the Mem on Saturday at 3.00 pm.

Bristol Rovers injury news

It’s almost a clean bill of health for the Gas weekend, with their long-term absentees Josh Grant and Jordan Rossiter, have a strong squad to choose from. Grant has played just one match this season which was in August and underwent surgery for a knee problem that ruled him out for the remainder of the campaign.

As for Jordan Rossiter, he has been out since mid-December, owing to a knee issue as well. He was building up a formidable partnership with Sam Finley in the centre of midfield, and his absence has been felt with a poor run of form coinciding with him being unavailable for selection. Rossiter underwent surgery for the problem, and there was an initial hope he would return at the end of January but now the coaching staff are working on the basis that he is out for the rest of the season.

Ryan Loft is available for selection once again after serving his three-match ban for violent conduct against Lincoln City. Loft was adjudged to have used his elbow against goalkeeper Carl Rushworth and Rovers opted not to appeal against the ban. In his absence John Marquis hs played and gave a good account of himself, despite the lack of goals.

In his pre-match press conference, Barton revealed that Harry Anderson would be unavailable for selection after the next four to five weeks after a groin problem. Anderson had been out for two months from October to December onwards and he will now undergo surgery on Friday.

Out: Josh Grant, Jordan Rossiter, Harry Anderson.

Barnsley injury news

Barnsley duo Josh Benson and Max Watters are in contention to return this weekend, but they could have to ‘bide their time’ according to manager Michael Duff. Benson had been out since mid-January with a hamstring injury but is available for selection this weekend. Watters meanwhile is back after serving a three-match ban for his dismissal against Cambridge United, in a game in which he scored in. Waters hurt his toe and had only resumed training this week, so his ban allowed for him to recover but he has been described as a ‘little behind’.

Luke Thomas, who suffered a broken leg on the training ground earlier this season, scored against Derby and is in line for a return to the Mem. Thomas spent four months on the sidelines but made a return a fortnight ago, where he has been eased back in as a substitute.

Former Bristol City defender Robbie Cundy has been out since mid-January with a knee problem and his time frame for a return was a month. The 25-year-old has missed the last eight matches which makes a return to the city of Bristol unlikely for this weekend.

Academy graduate Matty Wolfe isn't expected to play a part again this season after badly injuring his knee in a behind-closed-doors game. He isn't likely to play again this season and the extent of his injury could carry on to the next campaign, whatever division Barnsley find themselves in.

Out: Robbie Cundy. Matty Wolfe. Doubtful: Max Watters.