Bristol Rovers defender James Gibbons could miss up to three months after scans on a foot injury, Joey Barton has revealed.
Summer signing Gibbons has a stress fracture and his wearing a protective boot for up to six weeks, and it could take a further six weeks to return to match fitness. Rovers are optimistic the 24-year-old will be ready to return in two months if his recovery goes smoothly.
The former Port Vale defender started in both of Rovers' League One games so far this season but was absent for the League Cup clash at Crawley Town on Tuesday. His manager has revealed Gibbons did not feel any pain during the 4-0 win at Burton after taking painkillers for discomfort in his hip.
"It’s a strange one," Barton said. "He didn’t feel it in the game so he’s got through the game fine but on Sunday he’s woken up with a bit of swelling in his foot.
"We’ve had that MRI’d and it’s come back that he has a slight stress fracture in his second metatarsal, so he’ll be in a boot for four to six weeks. How quick he gets back will depend on how quick he gets out of the boot.
"We’re looking at that as probably an 8-12 week injury, so he’s going to miss a significant chunk of games, but again one man’s bad news is another man’s opportunity."
Gibbons' absence will be a blow for Barton, whose options in defence are already limited, but there is better news in midfield.
Sam Finley is approaching full fitness after two 60-minute outings in the past two games and Paul Coutts is back from suspension on Saturday.
Jordan Rossiter and Josh Grant are set to be involved after hamstring and knee problems respectively, too. Rossiter played in the first game of the season against Forest Green Rovers, while Grant is yet to feature after missing most of pre-season.
Barton added: "It’s going to be hot and Sam’s at the point where he was wanting to push on in training today but I was telling him to save his energy because we need him full of energy on Saturday.
"Sam’s at the point now where he can push a bit further, but we want to move the lads through it as safely as possible and having Coutts back and having Rossiter back and having Grant back just takes the heat out of those situations where lads have got to push into the last 20 or 30 minutes of games when maybe they are not at 100 per cent fitness."
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