Joey Barton says Bristol Rovers' "prayers have been answered" after centre-back Lewis Gibson received a welcome injury boost.
The 22-year-old, on loan from Everton, has had an unfortunate run with injuries in recent seasons and there was cause for concern when he was substituted early in the second half of the New Year's Day win over Cheltenham Town.
Gibson had reported a thigh issue and scans were required to assess any potential damage, but the findings have been encouraging and he is back in training ahead of Saturday's League One trip to Cambridge United.
How he comes through Friday's training session will determine if he is available for the clash at the Abbey Stadium.
"He just felt his thigh," Barton said. "We played three games in a week and he hasn’t played three games (in quick succession) for a while.
"It was a slog with fast games coming at you and the short turnaround. It was three games in eight days and like six games in a short space of time.
"It was condensed into that period, plus the leg-sapper of our pitch. Our pitch was like a quagmire for the two games and it was very heavy on the legs. You’re not getting the energy back out of the pitch that you would normally get and that starts to take its toll.
"I think he was just fatigued, he felt it and did exactly the right thing in terms of the last thing we want is him getting an injury. He has come off before he has made it worse because he’s felt it and luckily it’s low grade or just a bit of fatigue.
"So your prayers are answered because he is such an important player for us. Let’s see how he responds to training, he has had a couple of days of treatment and off his feet as the rest of the lads have to fill their energy tanks.
"The lads have trained today and we will see how they are in the morning, but we expect a clean bill of health for the game, bar Jordan Rossiter."
Rossiter has missed the past four League One games after suffering a meniscus injury in the EFL Trophy win over MK Dons last month, but Barton hopes he the former Liverpool and Rangers midfielder can be back in contention soon after being so influential in his 17 league appearances this season.
The manager explained: "He’s two or three weeks. He’s progressing well and he’s back with the physios and strengthening up.
"He’s not quite back out on the grass with us but people forget how important a player he is for us. He’s huge, he’s become a massive part of why we are successful and to lose him and lose Couttsy, we haven’t had that nucleus together for a while.
"We are short of bodies in the middle and the lads are scrapping away, but the sooner we get Jordy back in the team, the better because he is a phenomenal player."
SIGN UP: To receive our free Rovers newsletter, bringing you the latest from the Mem
READ NEXT:
