Peterborough United v Bristol Rovers injury news as six ruled out and five doubts

Latest injury news ahead of Peterborough United v Bristol Rovers in the Sky Bet League One clash at London Road.
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Antony Evans will have to sit out of Bristol Rovers’ clash with Peterborough United after his red card in midweek.

The midfielder was shown two yellows cards in 12 minutes for two fouls which Joey Barton had no complaints about. Evans was sent off in the 25th-minute and eventually the Gas’ rearguard was broken down by league leaders Plymouth Argyle.

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Josh Coburn was withdrawn early for Sam Finley to provide an extra body in midfield whilst Aaron Collins was substituted at half-time. It was revealed to be a tactical decision from Joey Barton rather than any injury worry.

Evans is one of five players ruled out for the fixture with the rest out through injury. Anssi Jaakola has a calf problem which has had him sidelined for the last month whilst Jordan Rossiter and Paul Coutts are long-term absentees. Rossiter has been out since December with a damaged meniscus whilst Coutts has had a knee injury that has kept him out since February.

There is a hope of a return for on-loan goalkeeper Ellery Balcombe, who has featured since mid-February. He has been absent with a knee problem for the majority of the month and before that was a substitute to James Belshaw.

Another doubt is Luke McCormick, who did not make the match-day 18. He had a problem with his wisdom tooth, and it came at the wrong time because he was going to be given minutes by the manager.

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In a cruel blow, Josh Grant will not play a part in Rovers’ remaining few fixtures. It was hoped that he could play a part after returning to training earlier this month, but a groin tweak means he’ll miss the end of season run-in.

Play-off chasing Peterborough suffered a blow nearly a fortnight ago with Nathan Thompson coming off with an injury against Accrington. He has suffered ankle ligament damage and will miss the remainder of the campaign, but could make the second leg of the play-offs should they qualify.

“It is not as severe as we thought it might be but it’s bad enough,” said Darren Ferguson to the Peterborough Telegraph.

"Realistically, the only way we will see him again this season is if we get to the final. He may have a slight chance for the second leg of a semi- he’s quite a quick healer- but we’ll wait and see.”

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Ricky Jade-Jones has been missing for the last three matches. He has been struggling with a muscle injury and was sent for a scan earlier this month.

Cameroon-born midfielder Jeando Fuchs has been absent for the last eight matches. He has made 22 appearances this season but has played just 21 minutes in the last two months.

January signing Kabongo Tshimanga has been an unused substitute in their last two matches. The 25-year-old is still searching for his first goal since joining on loan from Chesterfield.

Joel Randall was missing from the 3-0 defeat to Ipswich and was an unused substitute against Accrington Stanley. Newcastle United defender Kell Watts made the squad however after missing almost four months of action.

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