Charlton Athletic v Bristol Rovers injury news as nine ruled out and two are doubts

The latest on the injury front for Bristol Rovers and their opponents Charlton
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Bristol Rovers travel to the capital to face manager-less Charlton Athletic at The Valley this afternoon. The Addicks are without a coach after parting company with former Gas boss Ben Garner, Anthony Hayes is currently caretaker manager.

There are six places separating the two sides, with Rovers just inside the top-half of the table in 12th whilst Charlton sit in 18th, hovering above the relegation zone. Joey Barton’s side are four points clear of Charlton, but they do hold a game in hand over them, given their match last week was postponed.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Rovers defeated MK Dons 4-1 in their midweek outing in the EFL Trophy, with John Marquis twice on target, as well as Luca Hoole and Harvey Saunders. Charlton’s last match was a 3-1 defeat to Stockport County in an FA Cup replay on Wednesday, December 7, leaving them with 10 games without a game.

Both teams are contending with selection issues, as they deal with injuries. Here is the latest team news on both teams, as several players are to miss out.

Bristol Rovers injury news

The Football League’s most creative player Aaron Collins is a doubt for this match, after being forced off against MK Dons. He came off after 15 minutes, and had to be helped off by the physio team after coming off a bad tackle. Barton believes he could have broken his leg with the stud marks to show for it.

Barton described the injury as a sore one, but was unsure whether it would heal in time for him to return, describing it as ‘bad bruising’ on Tuesday night. Collins has 11 goals and seven assists this season, and so him being unavailable but would be a blow in the lead-up to a busy period.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Jordan Rossiter is another player that picked up an injury on Tuesday. He was forced off before half-time, as he jarred his knee. Rossiter underwent a scan and is another player who’s status is doubtful. Antony Evans complained of a hip problem late on whilst Bobby Thomas was substituted with a tight groin, but both should be okay to play this weekend.

Club captain Paul Coutts recently returned from injury, and could hold on to that starting role. Sam Finley was not involved on Tuesday after suffering a calf problem, which ruled him out of last week’s match. He is likely to miss out once again, but could be back for the Boxing Day clash with Wycombe Wanderers.

Trevor Clarke joins Josh Grant on the treatment table as one of the long-term absentees. Clarke will be further assessed but he had a scan on his thigh and groin, with a two-month timescale suggested by Barton.

Ryan Loft had been due to return for Rovers after a bout with illness, but his return was delayed having suffered muscle spasms last week. Loft’s potential availability could ease the pressure if Collins is unable to play.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Harry Anderson, is another player who had been out for a while with injury, but should return shortly. Anderson was not named in the last two match-day squads, despite Andy Mangan saying that he would be eased back in to the fold.

Charlton Athletic injury news

Charlton have their own injury problems to contend with. Caretaker boss Hayes expects that Saturday will come too soon for Terell Thomas and Miles Leaburn. Both players are suffering with ankle injuries but are close to a return.

Joe Wollacott is out with a finger injury that deprived him of a place in Ghana’s World Cup squad. Mandela Egbo has a squad problem, whilst Eoghan O’Connell has a knee issue, with Conor McGrandles capping it off with an ankle injury.

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.