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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
Sport
Sam Frost

Expected Bristol Rovers team to play Doncaster Rovers: Clarke-Harris returns with new signings to start again

Ben Garner hopes to propel Bristol Rovers back into the League One play-off places with victory over Doncaster Rovers on Saturday, picking up his first three points in the process.

And he will be boosted by the return of striker Jonson Clarke-Harris,

But Rovers still have several first-team players out injured, so Garner has plenty of selection headaches.

Here is how we see Rovers lining up against Donny at the Mem.

Goalkeeper

Rovers received bad news on Anssi Jaakkola's injury this week, with the Finnish international suffering damage to the joint after dislocating his shoulder at MK Dons on New Year's Day.

Jordi van Stappershoef has played well in his place, and the Dutchman will continue in goal for the Gas for the foreseeable future.

Alexis Andre Jr will be on the bench.

Defence

Garner trialled a 4-2-3-1 formation on Wednesday with Alfie Kilgour playing at right-back.

The academy graduate performed well in that role, but with Rovers returning to league action and minutes on the training ground in precious supply amid a hectic fixture schedule, we expect a back three to be utilised again.

That would consist of Kilgour, Tony Craig and Rollin Menayese from left to right, with Luke Leahy returning from a night off against Stevenage to play left-wing-back.

Mark Little's injury issues rumble on, so Alex Rodman on the right flank.

Tom Davies and Tareiq-Holmes Dennis are continuing their returns from injury and will be involved again, and Michael Kelly will likely return to the bench after a rare start against Stevenage.

Midfield

Ed Upson's suspension from his red card on Wednesday does not carry over into League One games, so he will be available for Garner and we expect him to anchor the midfield alongside Liam Sercombe, who has played a slightly deeper role of late.

Cameron Hargreaves and Lucas Tomlinson, who played well as a substitute against Stevenage, will be options for Garner from the dugout.

Attack

In front of Upson and Sercombe are likely to be new signings Josh Barrett and Jayden Mitchell-Lawson.

The pair made their debuts on Wednesday, getting 90 minutes under their belts and showing glimpses of what they can do.

Both men, who signed from Reading and Derby County respectively, are versatile threats who will doubtless float around in the final third, bringing the movement Garner craves from his forwards.

The XI is completed by the returning Jonson Clarke-Harris, who sat on the bench for the defeat as Garner opted not to risk him exacerbating a hip injury sustained against Coventry City.

The number nine, according to Garner, is fully fit and set to lead the line on Saturday.

Tom Nichols was not involved on Wednesday after being told he can leave the club in this January transfer window, and is likely to miss out again.

And Tyler Smith's foot injury means Victor Adeboyejo is the only other first-team striker available, so Kieran Phillips could be called up from the under-18s for a spot on the bench.

Get lots more news, opinion and transfer updates on our dedicated Bristol Rovers page and add a bookmark to find it quickly next time.

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