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

Joey Barton and Gary Caldwell are without several key players
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Bristol Rovers welcome Exeter City to the Memorial Stadium in the second part of their triple-header over the festive period. The Gas have the Grecians this evening and Cheltenham Town on New Year’s Day to top off a packed schedule.

Rovers suffered a 2-1 defeat to Wycombe Wanderers in their last outing, despite Middlesbrough loanee Josh Coburn opening the scoring. The defeat at Adams Park on Boxing Day was their first in six matches.

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The league standings have Rovers in tenth, meanwhile Exeter hold 13th spot, with three points separating the two sides. Both Joey Barton and Gary Caldwell have selection issues to contend with, here is the latest team news in both camps.

Bristol Rovers injury news

Harry Anderson is closing in on a return to action after two-months on the sidelines. Anderson had a ‘sniff’ of making the squad against Wycombe and could stand a chance of making the squad this evening.

Ryan Loft and Sam Finley made a welcomed return to action against Wycombe with both coming off the bench. Finley missed the last three games due to a calf injury but came on as a substitute, whilst Loft returned to league action having battled a bout of illness, as well as suffering a muscle spasm.

Summer signing Jordan Rossiter is sidelined however after undergoing surgery on his knee. Rossiter has injured his meniscus and is out for a ‘couple of months’ which is better than initially thought after fears of an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

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Josh Grant is Rovers’ long-term absentee with the former Chelsea prospect twice undergoing surgery to rectify an issue that plagued him for a chunk of last season and this pre-season.

He is in the treatment room with Trevor Clarke who suffered a training ground injury. Left-back Clarke is out for two-months and against Wycombe, centre-back Lewis Gibson was preferred to Lewis Gordon in the position.

Exeter City injury news

Exeter will be without Kyle Taylor with the midfielder sidelined by an ankle fracture. He is still a ‘couple of months away’ from returning to action.

Sonny Cox is doubtful having not returned before the expected return date of before Christmas. A groin injury seemed to be minor but it has taken longer than expected, and could return to full training soon. Centre-back Sam Stubbs is another player that has been out for a considerable period. He has suffered a recurring knee injury, and has not kicked a ball in anger since August. He has began training again, but is still unavailable for selection.

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