Long waits end for Bristol Rovers, their fans and a new signing on Saturday as the Gas return to League Two action.
Joey Barton and his players are back at the Mem for the first time in more than a month to face Hartlepool United, and with a COVID outbreak behind them and the injury list shortening, the manager has plenty of options to choose from.
One of those options is new signing Ryan Loft, who has been kept waiting for his debut after missing the FA Cup third round due to being cup-tied.
Rovers' new target man should be in from the start for his first appearance in the blue and white quarters, and elsewhere on the pitch there are intriguing selection conundrums for the Barton.
Here is the expected Rovers team for the visit of Hartlepool on Saturday...
What XI would you select? Let us know in the comments section below...
Goalkeeper and defence
Anssi Jaakkola's return to training is welcome news for the Gas, providing increased depth for the hectic schedule that awaits the Gas, but it would be a surprise to see the Finn involved on Saturday after such a sustained period on the sidelines.
James Belshaw will start in goal against Hartlepool on Saturday, with Jed Ward likely to continue in the back-up role on the bench until Jaakkola is given the all-clear from the medics.
Barton has rotated between a back four and a back three this season, with the former his defensive base of choice for the trip to Peterborough United last time out. He could select a four-man defence again because of the options it gives him when assembling his attack.
If it is a four, Luca Hoole, James Connolly and Harry Anderson are the options for right-back, with very little between them.
Connor Taylor and Cian Harries ought to start in the middle, returning from injury and suspension respectively, with Nick Anderton beating Trevor Clarke to the left-back spot.
Josh Grant could make the bench after a spell on the sidelines with a hamstring issue.
Alex Rodman is unavailable, but Barton told reporters on Friday the versatile 34-year-old should be in contention in the next few weeks.
Midfield
Sam Finley will serve the final game of his suspension on Saturday. He would likely have started if he was available.
In his stead, captain Paul Coutts will hope to continue his good form, with Glenn Whelan set to be deployed alongside him.
Zain Westbrooke will return to the bench after starting against Peterborough in the cup.
Attack
The main argument for selecting a back four is it enables Barton to get three creative players in the team behind his new centre forward.
Loft will make his Rovers bow from the start on Saturday, and if he truly is the “missing piece” for the Gas as Barton has opined, exciting times await in the coming weeks and months
With attacking midfield the obvious strength of Rovers’ squad, Barton will want to get Aaron Collins, Antony Evans and Sam Nicholson in the XI from the start and attack a Pools team with a very poor record on the road.
Luke Thomas would be unlucky to start the game from the bench, but he is fourth in the pecking order based on form over the course of the season.
Brett Pitman, Sion Spence and Ryan Jones could all make the bench, too.
Leon Clarke is edging closer to a return but won't be rushed back after a long-term layoff, with Harvey Saunders also sidelined with a fracture in his hand.
Rovers (4-2-3-1): Belshaw; Connolly, Taylor, Harries, Anderton; Coutts, Whelan; Nicholson, Evans, Collins; Loft.
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