Burton Albion v Bristol Rovers injury news as nine out and four doubts

Bristol Rovers team news

Rovers’ injury list grew this week as Luke McCormick suffered an ankle injury in training. The former Chelsea midfielder is out for between six to ten weeks and his injury comes at a time when he was building up momentum for an extended run in the side.

Centre-back has been an area of concern with injuries to both James Wilson and Tristan Crama. Wilson

has damaged his ankle ligaments and has been sidelined for the last month. Drama has returned to parent club Brentford meanwhile for rehabilitation after it was revealed he was contending with a tendon injury.

Luca Hoole suffered a knock whilst on international duty with Wales’ under-21’s and is a doubt. He featured in the 1-1 draw with Czechia last Friday, but a decision will have to be made by Rovers’ medical staff as to whether he’s fit or not. Right-back Jack Hunt has been described as ‘touch and go’ and so James Gibbons could be afforded an opportunity.

In attack, John Marquis is out with a hand injury. It has him sidelined for four to six weeks and a time frame of mid-November is the most realistic. In one piece of good news, Grant Ward is set to return to the squad this weekend. He has been dealing with an Achilles problem and has been out since late-August.

Left-back Lewis Gordon has been in-and-out of the team and didn’t make the squad against Oxford United. He had been left out of the last five match-day squads prior to that. In the same position George Friend has been dealing with a few injury problems, and has not played since Shrewsbury in mid-September. Chelsea loanee Harvey Vale has deputised in the position in Friend’s absence.

Central midfielder Jordan Rossiter is the player that has been sidelined the longest. He is approaching nearly 12 months since he played against MK Dons but was forced off with a knee injury. He has suffered a few setbacks but there is a hope that they have got to the route of the problem and that he has a clear path for recovery.

In non-related injury news, Jevani Brown is missing through suspension. He picked up two yellow cards in the defeat to Oxford United, and given how they were dished out the club were unable to appeal.

Burton Albion team news

Club captain John Brayford is expected to be absent after undergoing an operation on his knee. The 35-year-old has been out since early September and is one of two absentees for the hosts. Jasper Moon has been injured, and in his and Brayford’s absence Burton have come out of it sharper.

Cole Stockton had a thigh injury earlier this season but was amongst the substitutes last week. Mark Helm missed the last two games through illness but is in contention to return. Former Rovers midfielder Mustapha Carayol has been tipped to start.