Bristol Rovers v Fleetwood Town injury news as five ruled out and four doubts

Bristol Rovers host Fleetwood Town at the Memorial Stadium in their latest Sky One League match. The two sides are closely matched with only two places separating them. Fleetwood are ahead of the Gas by a point.

Joey Barton and Scott Brown, two fierce rivals during their playing careers with Celtic and Rangers will meet for the first time in the dugout. Brown is in charge of Barton’s former club Fleetwood and Saturday’s match will be the first time that the former Manchester City midfielder has faced them.

A win for Rovers could move them as high as 11th should results go in their favour. The same applies to Fleetwood who could move as high as eighth.

Both teams have selection issues to contend with ahead of Saturday’s clash at the Mem. Here’s the latest from both the Rovers and Cod Army camps.

Bristol Rovers injury news

Lewis Gibson and John Marquis are in contention to make their returns after a period out with injury. Both players are back in the ‘fold’ as described by Joey Barton.

Gibson had a tight groin following the double-header against Plymouth Argyle and Sheffield Wednesday. The on-loan Everton centre-back missed the games against Derby and Rochdale but is now back in the mix after a fortnight out.

Marquis time on the sidelines has been longer however with almost a month out. The 30-year-old suffered a ligament problem in his knee against Crystal Palace on October 4 and missed the remaining games that month. His injury saw him miss eight games in total and his return is welcome given the uncertainty of Ryan Loft.

Ryan Loft suffered a hamstring issue and was withdrawn at Hillsborough, which was his last appearance. He missed the Derby and Rochdale matches and is touch-and-go for Saturday. The 25-year-old trained on his own today and could link up with his teammates on Friday but there is an element of caution in managing his injury.

Harry Anderson however has been ruled out. Anderson replaced Loft in the Sheff Wed match but a groin muscle problem last month has kept him sidelined. Anderson has been missing for the last two games but there is no exact time frame for his return.

Paul Coutts and Josh Grant are the Gas’ long-term absentees. Coutts is in a protective boot and on crutches and has since returned to Scotland to spend time with his family, as he heals up from an ankle injury. Josh Grant meanwhile underwent surgery earlier this year for a knee problem that has ruled him out for the remainder of the campaign.

Fleetwood Town injury news

Fleetwood will make their way to the Mem without two players at least with Harvey MacAdam and Admiral Muskwe are all currently sidelined. MacAdam has missed Fleetwood’s last five matches with injury. He has been suffering with a hamstring issue. Luton Town loanee Muskwe has been out for the last six games.

Shaun Rooney missed Fleetwood’s FA Cup win over sixth-tier Oxford City. Rooney left the pitch against Oxford United on a stretcher and it is unsure if he will be available this weekend. Striker Joe Garner is another who will be assessed. He missed the double-header against both Oxford City and United.

Centre-back Nsiala played 45 minutes in the FA Cup win. The 30-year-old could play some part but may have to settle for a place on the bench.