Bristol Rovers v Barnsley injury news as six ruled out and one doubt

Bristol Rovers have Luke McCormick to choose from after featuring against Ipswich Town.

The 24-year-old made a 13-minute cameo in the 2-0 defeat to the Tractor Boys in the Carabao Cup. He had been missing for most of pre-season but is now pushing for a start after recovering from a thigh injury.

Utility man Josh Grant is still being managed carefully and like McCormick, played just over ten minutes. He came on as a substitute against Portsmouth, and is pushing for his first competitive start in 15 months.

Rovers are still waiting on right-back James Gibbons who has been ealing with a knee issue. He didn’t travel to Portugal and last played a month ago against Eastleigh and has been described as ‘a few weeks away’. Jordan Rossiter remains sidelined with a damaged meniscus which has had him out since December. He underwent surgery in January but has not yet returned to training and will be out for longer.

Summer signing George Friend has also yet to make his first competitive appearance for the club after suffering an injury in pre-season. He’s been out since mid-July, and is expected to be ruled out of the visit of the Tykes.

As for Barnsley, according to the Yorkshire Post, they’ve rejected a £2.5m bid from Coventry City for defender Liam Kitching. The Tykes who had Bobby Thomas on loan last season saw him sold to the Sky Blues and now the Midlands club wanted to form their partnership again in the Championship.

New signing Corey O’Keeffe was forced off with a thigh injury which saw his debut end after just 33-minutes in their 7-0 win against Port Vale. It is expected that Barry Cotter could hold on to his place in O’Keeffe’s absence, and that Mael de Gevigney could make his debut after a weeks worth of training. Luca Connell isn’t being considered available either as he battles with an illness.

​Connor McCarthy returned to full training last week but will play in their U21’s matches before he is given a go in the first-team. Former Bristol City defender Robbie Cundy is nearing a return, but has missed the last two matches, whilst Josh Benson underwent surgery in June for an ankle injury.

Adam Phillips meanwhile is serving a suspension after being red carded in the play-off final against Sheffield Wednesday. He was given a three-game ban and is serving the second of that in the league.