Bristol Rovers v Rochdale: Is it on TV, how to watch, injury and team news

Bristol Rovers are at home for their third consecutive game as they welcome Rochdale to the Memorial Stadium.

The Gas come into the match on the back of a 2-1 defeat to Port Vale in which both Cian Harries and Sam Finley were sent off.

Rochdale were also on the end of the same result, losing 2-1 to Hartlepool United on Wednesday evening.

It’s quite close between the two teams in the League Two table, tomorrow’s visitors are ahead of the Gas in 16th.

What’s the latest team news for Bristol Rovers?

Cian Harries and Sam Finley will both be absent from tomorrow’s game for the same reason, suspension. Harries was sent off for a high boot, cynically fouling Conlon as the last line of defence, fortunately he only misses one match.

Finley however will serve a three-match ban after Rovers’ appeal to overturn it was rejected. The incident was off-the-ball but after the referee consulted with the linesman, it was decided that Finley would be dismissed.

Saturday will come too soon for them but Harvey Saunders and Junior Brown have begun training again.

Leon Clarke is a long-term absentee for Rovers but Brett Pitman could be in contention to start after coming on as a substitute. Sam Nicolson was withdrawn on Tuesday despite assisting Aaron Collins’ goal as he is nurtured back from an injury but should start.

As Cian Harries is suspended, as well as Alfie Kilgour being injured, there will be a decision to make for Barton in who he slots in defence with Glenn Whelan previously used as a defender against Sutton.

What’s the latest team news for Rochdale?

Midfielder Jimmy Keohane is missing after breaking his foot in a 2-2 draw against Stevenage.

Earlier this week young defender Joe Dunne joined non-league side Stafford Rangers in a one-month loan deal.

Midfielder Alex Newby has missed the last three games owing to a groin issue but is pushing hard to play and could be deemed match fit. He is their top scorer this season with five goals and has experience of scoring against tomorrow’s opposition.

Corey O’Keeffe who can operate as both a left-back and a midfielder is top of their assists charts this season with five.

Head-to-head

Both teams of course were in League One last season but suffered relegation from the third tier. They haven’t got that winning formula at the moment to look like definite promotion contenders but they will want to get back in a higher division sooner rather than later.

These two last met in January at the Mem behind closed-doors and it resulted in a win for the Manchester-based side. Alex Newby scored a brace in between Luke Leahy’s equaliser.

The two teams have met 39 times but only on seven occasions has it gone in the favour of Rovers, whilst Rochdale have claimed 14 wins, whilst there has also been 18 draws.

Is the match on TV?

As the game is being played on a Saturday at 15.00 GMT, the game is not available on iFollow.

BristolWorld’s Jordan Jones will be at the Memorial Stadium on Twitter Space tomorrow, so if you have any questions, let us know!

How can I watch highlights?

Tune in to the EFL on Quest from 21.00 GMT on either Quest or Discovery+ and you’ll get the Championship goals all the way down to League Two.

Sky Sports News just after Soccer Special has concluded could be a shout.

Both Bristol Rovers and Rochdale will upload highlights of the match to their YouTube channel and respective iFollow platforms.