Bristol Rovers aim to snap a four-game winless streak in League One as Rochdale visit the Mem on Saturday, but Joey Barton's team selection will be hampered by a long list of absentees.
A frustrating period on the pitch has been compounded by injuries and suspensions, meaning the manager will need to be creative when picking his XI to face Robbie Stockdale's free-flowing Dale.
The statisticians rate Rochdale as one of the more entertaining sides in the EFL, owing to their high expected goals and expected goals conceded per 90 minutes, but they find themselves in a similar spot to the Gas in the table as 16th face 17th, with both sides in need of points to kickstart their seasons.
Here is how Rovers are expected to line up on Saturday...
What XI would you select? Let us know in the comments section below...
Goalkeeper and defence
Anssi Jaakkola is due to return to training before Christmas after several months spent recovering from an Achilles injury, but when the Finn is back in the fold he faces a big challenge to displace James Belshaw.
The former Harrogate Town keeper has cemented his place as Rovers' number one and will continue in goal against Rochdale. Jed Ward will provide cover from the bench.
In defence, Rovers have problems with injuries and suspensions limiting Barton's options. Cian Harries, Alfie Kilgour, Josh Grant, Junior Brown and Mark Hughes are among those unavailable, meaning the manager needs to be creative in setting up his side.
With Nick Anderton required at centre-back, Trevor Clarke is Rovers' primary option for the left side of defence, and with Harry Anderson Barton's preferred right-back that might be a blend that might not be secure enough to play a back four.
Therefore, a back three seems likely. Pablo Martinez or Luca Hoole could replace the suspended Harries and slot in on the right of defence, with Connor Taylor and Anderton the other centre-halves. Anderson and Clarke could start as wing-backs.
Midfield
Rovers will have to make do without the influential Sam Finley in midfield, with the 29-year-old banned for three games after his red card against Port Vale on Tuesday night.
Without him, Paul Coutts and Glenn Whelan will continue their run in the side, shielding the back three from danger.
The reshuffles across the park could lead Antony Evans to drop back into midfield, having often been used as a makeshift striker of late.
Zain Westbrooke will make the bench.
Attack
Sam Nicholson and Aaron Collins combined for Rovers' goal against Port Vale, with the latter getting off the mark in League Two for the Gas. That pairing is likely to spearhead Rovers' attack once again.
That would leave Brett Pitman, Luke Thomas, Sion Spence and Ryan Jones as options for Barton to call on from the bench.
Rovers (3-5-2): Belshaw; Martinez, Taylor, Anderton; Anderson, Whelan, Coutts, Evans, Clarke; Nicholson, Collins.
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