‘Doesn’t look great’ - Bristol Rovers injury blow as Joey Barton provides update

Bristol Rovers are set to be without John Marquis for at least the next two matches after sustaining an injury.

Marquis was absent from the match-day squad in the Gas’ 2-1 win over Cambridge United on the weekend and instead his replacement Josh Coburn was on hand to score the winner.

He was a doubt after it was revealed on Tuesday night in the win against Crystal Palace’s Under-21’s that he had suffered an injury that was being closely monitored.

Rovers have been able to assess the situation further and will now have to do without their striker for at least the next week.

The 30-year-old has been found to have tweaked a ligament in his knee and on his initial scan, the picture is not pretty.

Asked about the latest on Marquis in his pre-match MK Dons press conference, Barton said: "John got booted right at the end of the first half and has tweaked a ligament in his knee.

"It doesn’t look great in the scan, but John is presenting slightly better than that. "I think it will put him out of Tuesday and possibly Saturday and then we’ll have to assess it after that.

“I am hoping it’s weeks, rather than months, but not ideal.”

It comes at a frustrating time for the summer signing who in his last league start scored against Exeter City in the 2-2 draw, given there is a system that is striker heavy and would certainly include him.

Marquis’ other goal came was the only one in Rovers’ last league win - against Oxford United in August - before defeating Cambridge at the Memorial Stadium.

He had started the season as first-choice striker and pushed Aaron Collins out to be a left-sided attacker however that was fluid and would change as the match went on.

The form of Ryan Loft who made an impact from the bench, scoring four goals in as many games, saw Marquis drop to the bench, but in recent matches he had shown promise and was handed a deserved opportunity against Exeter.

Despite his absence against Cambridge, he was amongst the group and was keen to play an off-the-field role in helping them to victory.

Barton added: "He’s bought into what it’s about and he’s become a good character in our group. He’s different, that’s for sure, but I’m really pleased with him.”

"He’ll want to score more goals because he’s a natural goalscorer and he would have been disappointed he hadn’t scored for a bit and then he got off the mark at Exeter, but then he gets a clip in the game on Tuesday night and he misses Saturday."

Another player absent from Cambridge was Harry Anderson, who was afforded a rest against Exeter and Palace to allow for his bruised foot to heal.

Anderson missed out again as he wasn’t fully fit but given the return of defensive personnel and the emergence of on-loan Fulham winger Sylvester Jasper, Anderson has been afforded a rest to fully recover.

"He’s had bad bruising in his foot and he’s had a week or so to settle that down," Barton revealed.

"He trained the last two days before the game and he had a couple of winces after challenges.

"Sod’s law, if you’ve got a bruise on your right foot, naturally you get kicked on your right foot within the first couple of challenges of a training game. It’s just the way it goes.

"I felt it was really tough. There were lads who were going to be fully fit and not carrying any knocks who would get left off maybe for Harry, who isn’t quite 100 percent fit.

“We thought it would be better to allow him 48 hours to settle and get closer to what is 100 percent fitness."