Paul Tisdale and Bristol Rovers will have to make do without star goalkeeper Anssi Jaakkola for the time being, with the Finland international nursing an Achilles injury.
The Gas hoped he would be available for the Boxing Day trip to MK Dons, which ended in a 2-0 defeat, but the issue is worse than initially feared and Bristol Live understands he is set to miss several games.
"Anssi’s going to be a little while unfortunately with his Achilles," Tisdale replied when asked about his keeper's fitness at full time.
The Finn had been feeling soreness in recent weeks, and the issue worsened in the EFL Trophy tie at Leyton Orient earlier this month. He was taken off at half time that night and has not played since.
His understudy Jordi van Stappershoef has played in his stead with mixed results. He was man of the match in the 3-0 win over Plymouth Argyle on December 12, but the Dutchman was less assured at Stadium MK, with a series of poor kicks throughout the game eventually punished for the crucial second goal.
Tisdale was also without ever-present midfielder Josh Grant through injury in Buckinghamshire. Grant has a hamstring niggle, but Rovers hope he will be in contention for the visit of Blackpool to the Mem on January 2.
Erhun Oztumer and Zain Westbrooke missed out for COVID-19 related reasons on Boxing Day. The pair were among players to test positive in Rovers' outbreak two weeks ago.
Oztumer has completed a 10-day period of self-isolation, but was not fit enough to play due to after effects of the virus.
Westbrooke's isolation period is almost complete, and the Gas hope he and Oztumer will be available for the Blackpool game.
