Bristol Rovers v Burton Albion injury news: Six sidelined and five doubtful ahead of League One clash

Bristol Rovers host Burton Albion in their second match of the week at the Memorial Stadium, as they hope to build on Tuesday’s positive result.

The Gas stopped the rot of five consecutive defeats across all competitions, as they held promotion-chasing Ipswich Town to a goalless draw. Rovers are without a win since January 8, which was a 2-1 win against Cambridge United, but are now in a good position to end their winless run.

Burton suffered a 1-0 defeat to Portsmouth on Valentines Day, and it was their first defeat in three matches, after wins over Exeter City, Fleetwood and Oxford United, which has lifted them out of the relegation zone. Dino Maamria has taken over from Jimmy Floyd-Hasslebaink, who oversaw the 4-0 defeat at the Pirelli Stadium in August, and after a strong recruitment drive in January, could keep the Brewers up.

Ahead of the match, both teams are without several of their players through injury and suspension. Here we take a look at the team news for both Bristol Rovers and Burton Albion.

Bristol Rovers injury and team news

Rovers are awaiting the outcome of the FA’s charge of improper conduct against James Gibbons. Gibbons was charged twice for improper conduct in the defeat to MK Dons, but was alright to play against Lincoln City and Ipswich. If the FA does go against him, then there is the right to appeal

Sam Finley was charged with violent conduct in the match and accepted the charge, and he will serve the final of his three game ban this weekend. He has been missed in the centre of the park, but both Grant Ward and Lamare Bogarde coped well against Ipswich in midweek. Ryan Loft is serving the second of his three game ban for the same charge, as he was sent off for violent conduct against Lincoln.

Lewis Gibson is making big strides, and is nearing a return but Saturday is likely to come too soon for the on-loan Everton defender. A thigh injury has ruled him out since New Year’s Day, but is back training and is pushing to be a part of the squad. Fellow loanee Josh Coburn has a knock around his knee and as a result, did not start against Ipswich, and he will be one to watch.

Club captain Paul Coutts was not amongst the substitutes on Tuesday after complaining of illness in their match against Lincoln, which saw him drop out of the squad completely and sent home to isolate. Coutts will be assessed, but they do have Jerry Lawrence back at their disposal after his return from Salisbury.

Jordan Rossiter remains sidelined after undergoing surgery on his knee for an injury suffered in December. Josh Grant is out for the same reason and had his campaign ended after surgery for a knee problem also.

Out: Josh Grant, Jordan Rossiter, Sam Finley, Ryan Loft. Doubtful: Lewis Gibson, James Gibbons.

Burton Albion team news

Wales Under-21 midfielder Terry Taylor is out for up to two months after landing awkwardly in their win over Fleetwood. Ciaran Gilligan is also out of action and has not played since early December.

The influential Mark Helm could return for their next match, whilst Bobby Kamwa and Jonny Smith are others to keep an eye out on. All three could return either this weekend or the next

Out: Terry Taylor, Ciaran Giligan. Doubtful: Mark Helm, Bobby Kamwa, Jonny Smith.