Squad situation improving after injury nightmare says a high-spirited Joey Barton

Gas have a number of key players back for selection for the visit of Hartlepool United on Saturday
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Bristol Rovers manager Joey Barton says the squad situation has improved seven fold after being plagued by COVID, injury, and suspension.

Rovers are back in League Two action against Hartlepool United tomorrow, a month since their last league game.

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The situation has now improved that Barton has a strong squad to choose from with key personnel returning, as well as long-term absentees.

Only central midfielder Sam Finley is a confirmed absentee for tomorrow as he serves the final game of his three-match ban, whilst Cian Harries returns after finally getting through his two-game suspension.

“Certainly, coming back to training yesterday was like coming back to a different club such is the amount of bodies that have returned.

“Alfie Kilgour, Connor Taylor, Cian Harries is back from suspension, big Anssi Jaakkola is back joining in with the group, Josh Grant, Ryan Loft who we’ve signed, and Leon Clarke’s back on the grass.

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“It’s night and day compared to last month. We’ve just been, for one reason or another, having different people affected at different stages. We’ve been decimated and I’ve had to join in training a few times myself and members of staff have had to join in.

“It’s been really tough, but yesterday was the first day we could actually get 11 vs 11. It was really nice, it seemed like we had a lot of men back in the building with a real size and presence, so I’m really excited about getting back on the grass tomorrow in front of our fans and it sets us up lovely for an exciting second half of the season.”

With the January transfer window almost at the halfway point, the theme of conferences will be on any movement at the club.

Ryan Loft and James Connolly have already come through the door which has given Barton a squad capable of challenging in the second part of the campaign.

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Whilst he has not ruled out making any further additions, he says attention will now turn to getting his fringe players some game time.

“I think we need to get a couple out. I was looking at the bodies yesterday. We’ve got 11 v 11 taking place and two players standing on the edge of that.

“We’ve got to make sure we get our players who aren’t playing, out and playing because the only way to improve in that area is on a match day.

“The training is a means to an end. The match day is where they want to be. The last thing you want to have is people sitting at home on a Saturday when they’re being paid money to play. You want them to be going out playing.

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“For me the focus will be on trimming the edge of the squad and making sure everybody here is crystal clear on what we’re doing and how we are going to do it.

“Those guys maybe who are looking for pastures new are available to do that. In the interim if the market throws up something that is of interest and we can execute on it. Between the powers that be within the club there will be an appetite to improve the playing squad.”

Barton himself tested positive for the virus last week and missed the match against Peterborough United in the FA Cup and as a result he had to keep track of the match through listening to local radio.

Fortunately the 39-year-old was unaffected health wise by his encounter with COVID and is back on the training ground, ready for the second part of the season.

“Obviously, it’s affecting everybody else in different ways, but fortunately for me, I’m young, fit and healthy, depending on who you ask. “Absolutely fine, not even the flu, just a mild cold.”

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