Six changes in confirmed Bristol Rovers team to face Plymouth Argyle in Papa Johns Trophy

Joey Barton has made six changes to the Bristol Rovers XI for tonight’s EFL Trophy clash at Home Park against Plymouth Argyle.

From the last starting XI which lined up against Shrewsbury Town, Lewis Gordon, Paul Coutts, Luca Hoole, Jordan Rossiter and John Marquis remain.

Anssi Jaakola - who is deputising goalkeeping coach duties is given his first start since February 8, which was a 2-1 defeat to Oldham Athletic, having been an understudy to James Belshaw.

A surprise inclusion is Trevor Clarke, who was told earlier this month that he was free to find a new club, despite signing a new two-year contract.

Clarke started the opening day clash against Forest Green Rovers but was substituted off alongside Zain Westbrooke, who is also free to leave.

Barton said Clarke didn’t ‘fill him with trust’ going forward and admitted his regret at offering the player new teams, but now the Republic of Ireland Under-21 international is getting a chance.

Clarke is likely to play a part in a four man defence with Hoole and Coutts at centre-half and Lewis Gordon tried as a right-back.

Summer signing Rossiter is included despite an FA charge hanging over his head, where he could receive either a fine or a match ban following an incident on the weekend.

There is also a first EFL start for Jerry Lawrence who has come through the academy system at Rovers. Lawrence has been named on the bench a few times this season and was the Academy ‘Player of the Year’ for the 2021/22 season.

Ryan Loft gets a deserved start after coming off the bench to net the opener in the 1-1 draw with Shrewsbury on the weekend, which was his first home goal at the Memorial Stadium.

Marquis, who has the same goal tally for the season after only scoring against Oxford United, is given a chance to find the target. Harvey Saunders, who has been used both as a start and as a substitute, is given the nod this evening also.

There is a strong bench which includes James Belshaw, Alfie Kilgour, Aaron Collins and Antony Evans, who all started the last match. Luke McCormick is also on the bench and could make his second debut after signing from AFC Wimbledon for an undisclosed fee, his shirt number has been finalised with the number 23 awarded to him.

Harvey Greenslade and Ryan Jones, who have come through the academy make up the rest of the seven man bench.

Bristol Rovers XI: Anssi Jaakola, Lewis Gordon, Paul Coutts, Trevor Clarke, Jordan Rossiter, Glenn Whelan, Jerry Lawrence, John Marquis, Ryan Loft, Harvey Saunders