After a morale-boosting draw against Ipswich Town in midweek, Bristol Rovers’ attention turns to Burton Albion and getting back on a winning run.
The Gas are six games without a win in all competitions, but Joey Barton saw plenty of encouraging signs in the performance against promotion-chasing Ipswich on Tuesday.
However, Burton are sure to be an entirely different challenge. The Brewers are sure to set up in a low block and they will be difficult to break down and Barton’s players will be tasked with playing on the front foot.
Here is how they could line up at the Mem this afternoon…
What XI would you select? Have your say in the comments section below…
Goalkeeper and defence
Ellery Balcombe delivered his best performance of his Rovers career so far on Tuesday and he will keep his place in the XI. James Belshaw is expected to be back in the squad after Barton drew a line under the situation that saw him left out of Tuesday’s game.
In defence, Barton could keep faith with the same back four that he has started with for the past two games. That would see James Gibbons and Lewis Gordon as the full-backs, with Jarell Quansah and James Connolly in the middle.
Luca Hoole and Calum Macdonald, still waiting for his Gas debut, are likely to be on the bench, but Lewis Gibson is not quite ready to return from a thigh injury.
Midfield
Sam Finley will serve the final game of a three-match suspension today, and Paul Coutts is unlikely to come straight back in after missing two games with an illness.
A trio of Grant Ward as the six with Antony Evans and Lamare Bogarde were effective on Tuesday and they are set to keep their places, with Luke McCormick likely to play some part from the bench.
Jerry Lawrence could make the squad again after being in the matchday 18 for Tuesday’s game following a loan spell at Salisbury. Glenn Whelan is also an option, but Jordan Rossiter remains unavailable with a knee injury.
Attack
Aaron Collins led the line as a lone striker on Tuesday, but he will have more support in this game. If Josh Coburn is passed fit to start after playing as a sub on Tuesday due to a knee niggle, the nine-goal striker should return.
He could play as part of a three-man attack with Collins to one side and Scott Sinclair on the other.
It would be extremely harsh on Harry Anderson if he misses out, but he would be an excellent option off the bench. John Marquis, too, is set to be among the subs, while Ryan Loft serves the second game of a three-match suspension.
Rovers (4-3-3): Ellery Balcombe; James Gibbons, Jarell Quansah, James Connolly, Lewis Gordon; Grant Ward, Lamare Bogarde, Antony Evans; Aaron Collins, Josh Coburn, Scott Sinclair.
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