Sam Finley is available again and in contention to start for Bristol Rovers in their Boxing Day fixture against Wycombe Wanderers, with Joey Barton also set to welcome striker Ryan Loft back into the fold.
Midfield lynchpin Finley, arguably Rovers’ most consistent and impressive individual this season, has missed the last three games due a calf injury but has trained at The Quarters this week and provided he comes through one last session on Christmas Eve morning, will be under consideration to make a swift return to the starting XI.
Loft could also be part of a League One squad for the first time since October 26 after overcoming muscle spasms which followed a period of illness and injury for the big striker. Versatile winger Harry Anderson, meanwhile, is back on the grass and has been given an outside chance for the game at Adams Park having not played since late October.
James Connolly, who was substituted at half-time of last weekend’s 2-1 win over Charlton Athletic, has been cleared to play after recovering from illness.
“We’ve got a few bodies returning: Sam Finley comes back into contention, as long as he comes through training, Ryan Loft, Harry Anderson back out on the grass, although he didn’t do the full session today and he’s still got a bit of work to do but he’s got a sniff of the game,” Barton said. “So, yeah, more to select from, which is always pleasing especially as we go into a competitive and congested period.”
Finley could line up in central midfield alongside Paul Coutts with Jordan Rossiter out until 2023 after undergoing surgery on a knee injury this week, which Barton revealed has yielded positive results and reduces his absence around six weeks before he can return to training.
The only slight doubt for the game against seventh-placed Wycombe is defender Lewis Gibson who has been experiencing a tight groin over the last 48 hours but the Everton loanee has indicated he’ll be fit to play.
Victory would elevate Rovers above their opponents, who were playing Championship football just two seasons ago and beat Ipswich Town 1-0 last Saturday, and Barton has branded the trip to Buckinghamshire as an “acid test” as they increasingly mount a challenge for the play-offs.
“It’s a game, we feel if we get our level of performance right we can beat anyone in the division,” Barton added. “In the last few games, we managed to win away at Charlton, we managed to win our last home encounter. We have to pay every game the respect it’s due but we’re confident if we execute and play at our level we can beat anyone.
“Wycombe are a really good side, Gareth (Ainsworth) has done a fantastic job there and I think it’s a real acid test for us; we’ll be examined physically at every corner, it’ll be under the goal, on the keeper and rough and tumble and we’ll have to stand up to the barrage they can bring.
“And they do carry lots of talented players as well. They’ve got some really good footballers in the side, as Ipswich found out last time.
"We know they’re well-drilled defensively and, for us, it’s a huge opportunity to take another scalp of a side that would be expected to be promoted. We go there with everything to gain; if we go there and win the game people have to start putting us in the conversation for promotion.”
SIGN UP: To receive our free Rovers newsletter, bringing you the latest from the Mem
