Luck has not been on Bristol Rovers' side to start the season with several players being ruled out with injury, and their opponents on Saturday Accrington Stanley share their pain.
Rovers will be without James Connolly, James Gibbons and Josh Coburn, with Lewis Gibson and Josh Grant also doubts, leaving Joey Barton short on numbers in defence in particular.
Accrington boss John Coleman is in a similar position. Although he was buoyed by Saturday's 1-0 win over Cheltenham Town to end a run of three successive defeats, it was not all good news with Harvey Rodgers, Joe Pritchard and Tommy Leigh all being forced off with injuries. Strikers Matt Lowe and Touray Sisay, meanwhile, are set to be ruled out of the trip to BS7.
“The players are putting a lot into the game, they are going to get niggles, they are going to get strains and it’s up to us to try and manage them and try and get them for as long as we can on the pitch," Coleman told Accrington's club website.
“I honestly can’t remember having as many injuries as we have had this season but that’s football for you. It’s how you react to adversity and sometimes it can make you stronger, the lads who come in can have a right go and you end up getting results. We won’t play anyone who won’t be fit.”
Accrington are 17th in League One with 10 points from nine games, sitting four places and two points ahead of the Gas. With his squad stretched, Coleman fielded a weakened side in the EFL Trophy against League Two promotion hopefuls Salford City on Tuesday evening, drawing 0-0 before losing the bonus point shootout.
One player who did feature in that game was new signing Nathan Delfouneso. The former Aston Villa, Blackpool and Bolton Wanderers striker joined as a free agent on a short-term contract on Tuesday and is in contention to face the Gas at the Mem on Saturday.
"With the injury crisis we have, we had the opportunity to make a short-term addition," Coleman added. "He has plenty of experience and hopefully he will give the lads a lift in the attacking department.
"It gives Nathan an opportunity, he lives locally and it ticks boxes for both parties and hopefully he can hit the ground running."
Delfouneso added: "I am delighted and looking forward to it. I have been in the game a long time but I have still got a lot to do in the game and I can pass on my experience to the younger players.
"I have a lot left in me after a difficult past 18 months, I am eager and motivated and itching to get going and produce what I know I can. I am good and happy and hopefully I can show my teammates and the fans what I can do. I am here to help the team and push them up the league."
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