Joey Barton has selection headaches on his mind as Bristol Rovers prepare to face Lincoln City at the Mem on Saturday, but his captain Paul Coutts believes the Gas have the character and leadership required to meet the challenge.
News of Alfie Kilgour's red card from Tuesday's defeat at Ipswich Town being rescinded offered some respite for Barton, but the manager still has to contend with a shortage of defensive options due to James Connolly, Lewis Gibson, Josh Grant and James Gibbons' injuries, plus Bobby Thomas' suspension.
Creative solutions will be required, but from the perspective of Coutts, Rovers have enough quality and fortitude to battle on despite being hit with some rotten luck with injuries to start the season.
"We’ll have to find solutions as a group," Coutts told the club's website. "That’s why we’ve got the group we’ve got. It’s one of those random nights where both of your centre-halves get sent off late in the game and they are probably the only two fit ones in the building.
"It’s going to be a headache for the gaffer, but one that we’ve got plenty of depth in the squad that we’ll find a solution to it and put a team out there willing to put everything on the line that is capable of getting three points.
"It will be a tough game. They are all tough games. We’ve had a big turnover of players again and we’re a slightly different side to what we were last season, so we’re still bedding in, really.
"But as soon as we can get on a winning run and get a good home run going, hopefully, the better and that will breed new confidence throughout this group.
"It will be nice to be back at the Mem. Hopefully, we can get a win and get a little run together."
Lincoln sit in 16th place in League One, two places and points ahead of the Gas after eight games. Mark Kennedy's Imps travel to the Mem buoyed by Tuesday's 2-0 win over Derby County at Sincil Bank.
Coutts has had a frustrating start to the season, missing the first three games due to a suspension that carried over from the previous campaign, which has meant he has been slightly behind schedule in getting up to full match fitness.
But, with six appearances 315 minutes under his belt, the 34-year-old is back into the swing of things.
"It was a long pre-season and you’ve got to serve your bans when you get them, unfortunately," he added. "It took a bit of time to get that passed, there were no Saturday, Tuesdays straight away, but it is what it is. I’m up and running now and I’m fighting for a jersey.
"The gaffer has to prepare a team to start the season and, not being available, you’re not really in the running for that. I was getting minutes in pre-season here and there. I played in the Chippenham game, but after that the build-up focus turns to the start of the season. You just have to wait your time and I’m up and running now and feeling good."
With competition high in midfield this season, Coutts has not started every game, sharing captaincy duties with Sam Finley. Should Coutts be selected in the starting XI on Saturday, he will relish the feeling of emerging from the tunnel first and turning to acknowledge the Thatchers Terrace.
"It’s a huge honour, whether you’re playing or not playing," he said. "Whoever leads the boys out on Saturday in front of the crowd, especially at the Mem, it’s a fantastic honour.
"For me personally, it’s one of those things where you hope for 11 captains on the pitch, it doesn’t matter who is wearing the armband. We’ve got good leadership on the pitch and hopefully we can rely on that on Saturday because there are going to be some young boys out there and we’re a bit fragmented at the back end of the team, so hopefully we’ll have enough leadership to get through that."
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