Forest Green v Bristol Rovers injury news - as six players ruled out and two doubts

Bristol Rovers travel to Forest Green Rovers hoping to avoid a defeat to League One’s bottom side, who are still without a win since a change in manager.

Joey Barton will go against his childhood hero Duncan Ferguson on Saturday, but the latter is still searching for that first win since his appointment at the New Lawn in late January. The former Newcastle United and Scotland forward has overseen seven matches but has picked up just two points from the 21 that have been on offer. Rovers know too well about a bad-run-of-form after going several weeks without a win until they thrashed Oxford United, and last week earned a point against promotion-chasing Barnsley.

FGR won the reverse clash between the two sides on the opening day of the season, but it is the Gas who have the better prospects of remaining in League One. Rovers are 15th and have 19 more points than the basement side of the division, but Joey Barton has a

Bristol Rovers injury and suspension news

The Gas are sweating on the fitness of club captain Paul Coutts, who will be closely monitored ahead of kick-off. He suffered a knee injury in training last week and withdrew from the match-day squad against Barnsley at the eleventh hour. The 34-year-old has not yet trained fully and Friday’s training session was the last chance for him to prove his fitness.

Harry Anderson underwent successful surgery on his groin and will be out for the next four-to-six weeks, putting him out of action through a busy schedule. Rovers have a midweek fixture against Wycombe on Tuesday night, and then the international period to look forward to as well as a Easter Holiday double-header.

Josh Grant resumed training this week after being sidelined since August after undergoing an operation for a knee problem. Grant has played just 10 minutes this season and is out-of-contract in the summer. As for Jordan Rossiter, the Gas are on the assumption that he will not play again this season.

James Gibbons has so far been able to play on despite a potential ban from the FA looming over him. He was charged with improper conduct against MK Dons, but so far it has not been discussed. He was a substitute against Barnsley last week.

Out: Hary Anderson, Josh Grant, Jordan Rossiter. Doubt: Paul Coutts.

Forest Green injury and suspension news

Forest Green have been dealt a major blow after striker Jahmari Clarke was ruled out for the rest of the season. Clarke suffered a tendon injury and has returned to parent club Reading, just four games in to his loan spell. Ben Stevenson and Charlie McCann are both suffering from knee injuries. Stevenson has been ruled out for another four to five weeks whilst McCann is waiting for a scan to assess the severity of the injury.

Tyler Onyango has returned to Ferguson's former club Everton after undergoing an operation for a hamstring injury. He started the season with Burton Albion and joined FGR on deadline day, but like Clarke will play no further part this campaign.

Out: Jahmari Clarke, Ben Stevenson and Tyler Onyango. Doubtful: Charlie McCann.