Club captain Paul Coutts, Ryan Loft and Harry Anderson are all in contention to play a part in Bristol Rovers' League One clash with Port Vale on Saturday, first-team coach Andy Mangan has confirmed.
Midfielder Coutts is set to make his return to action at the Mem after missing almost two months with an ankle injury, while winger Anderson has missed more than a month with a groin muscle issue.
Loft, meanwhile, was absent for Friday's 1-1 draw at Bolton Wanderers with an illness that has affected several players in the camp in the past fortnight, but Mangan says Rovers have a clean bill of health for the visit of Darrell Clarke's Vale this weekend.
Mangan – manager Joey Barton's right-hand man – says Coutts' return, in particular, has had a big impact on the squad.
"We have a clean bill of health and we are ready to rock and roll," Mangan said.
"Paul Coutts has been back in training this week which has given the lads an unbelievable lift because Couttsy is such a big character for us and a massive leader and a really big part of everything we do.
He’s back in with the lads and he was the best player in training today, so we’re probably going to start him up front after today’s performance because he looked like he could score a right few goals. Couttsy’s back in and he’s doing great.
"(Anderson) is definitely in contention. Unfortunately, he was out for about five weeks so we’ve got to be careful. It would be silly and very naïve to rush him back.
"We’ve got a very good squad and we’ll go manage his situation day by day. There are a couple of lads who we’re managing in at the moment, but Harry will definitely be available to play on Saturday, maybe not to start but he’ll be involved.
"H is a great player for us and he’s done ever so well. He’s played in every single position except centre-half, so he’s one we’re delighted to get back, not only for the team but also for the lads. He’s really well thought of in the group so hopefully he can be back in soon.
"Lofty is in the building and hopefully Lofty will be available. They are all back in training now. There is nothing to report, luckily for us."
Mangan had good news to share on Josh Grant, too. The utility player has been ruled out for the season due to knee problems which required surgeries on each leg. The second of those has been completed, meaning he can begin the road to recovery after a series of injury-hit seasons for the former Chelsea prospect.
Mangan said: "Josh has just had his second operation, which is brilliant because Josh is a fantastic player who we miss every week, not only around the training ground but on the pitch because he’s such a good player.
"His operation was a success and I’m delighted for him because he can move forward with his career."
Ninth-placed Vale are the visitors to the Mem this weekend and Mangan expects a tough challenge for the Gas, who are 15th in the standings and caught in a cluttered mid-table despite losing just once in their past 10 league games.
"They are a newly-promoted side who have acquitted themselves superbly in this league," Mangan said. "Darrell will be delighted with the start he has had.
"We know Darrell and his staff. They’ve got a great staff there. We know an awful lot of them and we’re friendly off the pitch. On the pitch on Saturday, we want to impose our will and our football on them. We know what they will bring and we will have to be at our best to beat Port Vale on Saturday.
"They are solid citizens, they do really well, they work really hard for Darrell and they’ve got a great team spirit there, so what we’re going to do is what we always do. We will prepare superbly and the best team will win on Saturday."
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