James Connolly is set to be out for at least a month for Bristol Rovers due to injury, manager Joey Barton has revealed.
The Rovers boss confirmed Connolly, who joined the club on a permanent transfer from Cardiff City earlier this summer, has a stress fracture in his back after he was absent from the squad to face Shrewsbury Town on Saturday afternoon.
Barton has confirmed the centre-back faces a "prolonged" period on the sidelines, with Alfie Kilgour getting the chance to impress in his place at the Mem against the Shrews.
"He’s got a little bit of a stress fracture in the bottom of his back," Barton told BBC Radio Bristol. "We’ve got a bit of medical scans and stuff to do, so he’s going to miss a prolonged period. It’s going to be at least a month, if not a couple of months.
"(It is a) big (blow). He’s a young player developing and it looks like it’s been something that’s been niggling away, certainly in the past few weeks and when it’s in that part of your body you have to take all the precautions that you can.
"Alfie Kilgour has been chomping at the bit and he’ll want to give a good account of himself today.
"Disappointing to lose a player, but it’s always an opportunity for somebody else. Alf’s had to be really patient due to Connor Taylor and James Connolly’s form last year and at the start of this year. He’s been waiting for opportunities. He’s a mad-keen Gashead, he’s a Bristol lad and no doubt he will want to stake his claim for the jersey."
Connolly's absence leaves Rovers further short in an area of the field which will now be a transfer priority for Barton before Thursday's transfer deadline.
The Rovers manager has Everton loanee Lewis Gibson and Kilgour, but beyond that duo his only other real option is right-back Luca Hoole, who has been playing at centre-back at the start of the season.
Any hope Connor Taylor may return on loan has all-but disappeared with last season's loan signing heavily involved for the Potters while their attempts to sign Crystal Palace defender Jake O'Brien on a temporary deal have ended with the 21-year-old joining Belgian side RWD Moleneek.
Meanwhile, midfielder Sam Finley has dropped to the bench after starting at Portsmouth a week ago, with Barton making three changes to the XI.
"Sam Finley’s had a bit of a knock this week and he only returned to training yesterday, so we’re a little bit short at the minute and we’ve got the deadline lingering in the background," Barton explained. "We’re after maximum points today and then we’ve got a bit of work to do for the next league fixture."
SIGN UP: To receive our free Rovers newsletter, bringing you the latest from the Mem
READ NEXT:
