Portsmouth v Bristol Rovers injury news as six ruled out and three doubts

Bristol Rovers and Portsmouth will be without some of their key players for their League One curtain raiser at Fratton Park on Saturday, August 5.

The new season usually ushers in a fresh start for most but injuries from last season and setbacks during their pre-season preparations mean that both Andy Mangan who is standing in for Joey Barton and John Mousinho will be without some key personnel. It’s far from ideal but both sides have been busy in the transfer market and there will be an opportunity to see some new signings on show.

In terms of injury news for Bristol Rovers, Josh Grant is a doubt as he's only returned back to training now ahead of the season opener. He made one appearance in pre-season against Melksham Town which was at the end of June, and you'd imagine he won't be risked in the league, but could get a cameo against Portsmouth.

It's bad news on the Jordan Rossiter front however with the 26-year-old not yet recovered from an injury he sustained last December. He damaged his meniscus and had surgery to try and rectify the issue, and it was hoped he would return in January, but he missed the remainder of the season, and is now set to miss the opening month of the season too. He has not yet returned to training and will have to undergo a period of rehabiliation for his injury, before he is fit enough to be in contention for a competitive match.

New summer signing George Friend is expected to miss out against Portsmouth too. He played against Brentford b in mid-July but then missed the remaining pre-season fixtures, and there is no definite date of his return. Fortunately Lewis Gordon returned against Swansea City, and Ryan Jones has shown that he is ready to make the step up this season.

Luke McCormick and James Gibbons meanwhile are ruled for the trip to Hampshire having missed most of pre-season. Luke McCormick played for a much-changed Rovers XI in their second game against Cardiff City last month, Gibbons meanwhile last played against Eastleigh on July 8. Striker Ryan Loft is another that could be missing having not featured much in pre-season other than that friendly against Brentford.

As for the hosts, the 2023/24 season is already over for youngser Josh Dockerill who suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury at Gosport Borough. Dockerill’s absence is confirmed alongside Denver Hume who’s got a groin problem, and there is no time scale on his return but he is tipped to depart this summer.

The biggest blow for them however is Colby Bishop with Mousinho sweating on the fitness of the striker. He has played just three times in pre-season and got a 63-minute cameo against Bristol City last Saturday, but there will need to be no reaction from his injury for him to be in full contention.