Cambridge United v Bristol Rovers injury news as six ruled out and two doubtful

Bristol Rovers are on their travels for the first time in the New Year as they face Cambridge United at the Abbey Stadium. The Gas started 2023 with victory as they beat Cheltenham Town on New Year’s Day.

Joey Barton’s side bounced back from two defeats to Wycombe Wanderers and Exeter City over Boxing Day and towards the end of 2022, and are hoping to add three more points that will get them closer to their target of 52 points, which would guarantee survival. Rovers are in 11th place and on 34 points, six points off the sixth-placed Barnsley who have two games in hand.

Both Barton and Mark Bonner will some selection headaches, but there are also injuries to contend with. Here is the latest on the injury front for both team’s ahead of this afternoon’s clash.

Bristol Rovers injury news

It’s almost a clean bill of health for Rovers with Josh Grant their only long-term absentee. Jordan Rossiter is closing in on a return and is just a couple of weeks away from re-entering the fold.

There was a doubt over Lewis Gibson after he was withdrawn in the second-half against Cheltenham. Gibson had a suspected thigh issue and a scan was conducted, but it is good news. Three games scheduled over a busy festive period was a test for Gibson, but it was one he managed to overcome.

Trevor Clarke is also injured, but he has joined Shamock Rovers on loan until November. The League of Ireland season begins in February, but will link up with his new teammates shortly, and will be unavailable for selection whilst he is in Ireland.

Cambridge United injury news

Cambridge’s injury situation is clearing up and are hoping that they can call upon two more players on the weekend.

Former Rovers defender George Williams missed the 5-0 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday due to illness whilst Ben Worman had been nursing an ankle injury.

Williams resumed training on Thursday, and are hopeful that he could be available. Worman on the other hand has not yet returned to the training pitch, but will be given the next two days.

Fejiri Okenabirhie and Brandon Haunstrup meanwhile have resumed training and could make a playing return before January. Long-term absentee Dimitar Mitov meanwhile is out until February. Liam O’Neil’s injury also has him out for this month.

The U’s meanwhile have made two new signings in the form of Ryan Bennett and Steve Seddon, who should both be available to make their debuts against Rovers. Bennett joins on a deal until the end of the season after leaving Swansea City. Seddon joined on Friday from Oxford United on loan until the end of the campaign.