Paul Coutts will see a specialist this week to determine the severity of his ankle injury with Joey Barton claiming the Bristol Rovers captain could be out for anything between two weeks and two months.
Coutts was a surprise absentee from the Rovers starting XI against Plymouth Argyle on Saturday with the Scot having been among the most impressive performers for the Gas over the last couple of weeks.
The midfielder injured his left ankle in training during an 11v11 game at The Quarters on Thursday and after undergoing an MRI scan and x-ray was ruled out of Saturday’s game. Initial fears he had broken the ankle proved unfounded. However, a problem with his tendon has since been discovered.
Coutts was at the Mem on crutches and wearing a protective boot as he sat in the dugout with the coaching staff and substitutes. Speaking after the 2-2 draw with Argyle, Barton revealed Rovers are yet to discover the full extent of the injury but can only hope for good news.
“He’s not going to be available for at least a couple of weeks, maybe months,” Barton said. “We were having an 11v11 on Thursday and he done really well, ran through a little tight space and made a pass left-footed - he did complete the pass - but ended up rocking his ankle.
“He felt he heard a crack so we thought it was a break but we had him MRI-d and x-rayed and he hasn’t. He’s got a tendon, so we need to find out the extent of that. He’s due to a specialist next week.”
Coutts had been central to Rovers’ game plan in the build-up to the game, with Barton having to tweak his system slightly with Harry Anderson replacing the 34-year-old in the starting XI and moving into a right-wing role, and Antony Evans dropping back into midfield.
Evans, Sam Finley and Jordan Rossiter were all outstanding in the middle of the park, in and out of possession, and although Plymouth had their chances in the first half with goalscorers Finn Azaz and Adam Randall influential, after the break the Gas trio took over and dominated proceedings.
“That was an enormous blow for us because in the last few weeks he’s been excellent and certainly the game plan we wanted to take the ball off them and make them run around for it a bit more,” Barton added.
“And when you lose the skip and his quality, we altered the game plan slightly and somebody with his composure, presence and leadership, he’s a big loss for us but thankfully the lads absorbed that and got a point.”
As Coutts looks set for extended lay-off, injured duo John Marquis and James Connolly were also at the Mem among the squad and both walking freely after long-term absences with knee and back injuries, respectively.
Barton had hinted on Thursday that Marquis, who trained towards the end of last week, could come into contention for their games against Sheffield Wednesday and Derby County. But, with Ryan Loft, Aaron Collins and Josh Coburn all in fantastic form, the summer signing faces a fight to get back into the team.
Rovers will continue to treat Connolly’s return with caution and don’t need to rush the 20-year-old back as Bobby Thomas and Lewis Gibson have formed a fine partnership in the heart of the defence.
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