Antony Evans and Nick Anderton are expected to miss Bristol Rovers' game against Bradford City on Saturday, according to Joey Barton.
The Gas manager believes neither have sufficiently recovered from minor injuries that ruled them out of the 1-0 defeat at Carlisle United last time out, but hopes they will be back in contention to play at Tranmere Rovers on April 9.
Evans' productivity was sorely missed at Brunton Park, where Rovers dominated possession but were unable to break through against a spirited Carlisle defence. The 23-year-old has eight goals and eight assists in League Two this season and Barton believed his absence was costly as Rovers' four-game winning run came to an end.
Anderton, meanwhile, failed a matchday fitness test after tweaking a muscle in training the day before the game. The defender was a fixture of Rovers' solid defence in recent weeks until his absence.
"Both are probably going to miss Saturday," Barton said. "Hopefully, the week beyond that they might have a chance, but at this moment in time they are going to miss the game.
"(Evans) picked up an impact (against Northampton) and it’s rumbled on into his calf. It’s still a little bit sore, but I think it’s better in the last couple of days.
"He hasn’t joined back in with the group and I don’t envisage him doing too much tomorrow, so that probably takes him out of the reckoning for Saturday, but we’re hoping for the Tranmere game and beyond that, he and Nick will train next week and be available.
"(Anderton) kicked the ball away and he felt a little tweak, similar to what Ryan Loft had when he missed that period of time.
"Both lads have been scanned and had their assessments back and it is days rather than any significant period, so it is a bit frustrating for them that Saturday’s game comes a little bit too soon. But it’s days rather than weeks, they’re not going to miss that much game time."
Barton did share positive news on Josh Grant, though with the defender possibly in contention for Saturday's visit of the Bantams if he comes through training on Friday. The utility man is one of Barton's most trusted players but has missed 13 games with a knee injury.
"Back on the grass today," Barton said. "Buzzing to see Josh back out there, always brightens my day when I see him back out on the grass.
"He joined back in with the lads today and got a bit of training. Good, and hopefully he comes through the session tomorrow with flying colours and he’s good to go.
"He may come back into the matchday squad, depending on how he is in the next 24-48 hours. Delighted to see Josh back."
SIGN UP: For our newsletter to receive more exclusive Bristol Rovers content
