A summer of frustration appears to be coming to an end for Sam Finley, with the midfielder in line to make his Bristol Rovers debut on Saturday.
After a pre-season marred by COVID-19 and injury, former Fleetwood Town and Accrington Stanley midfielder Finley is poised to be in Joey Barton's starting XI for the visit of Stevenage to the Mem.
Saturday's game could also bring the return of several players from injury as Barton tries to get his rebuilt Rovers squad on track for their home opener.
Here is how Rovers are expected to line up for tomorrow's game...
What XI would you pick? Let us know in the comments section below...
Defence
After sitting out in midweek, Anssi Jaakkola will replace James Belshaw in goal for the Gas. Belshaw will displace Jed Ward from the bench.
Luca Hoole's Rovers rise has been so rapid that he was rested for Tuesday's Carabao Cup tie, and he will come back into the starting XI at right-back.
In the absence of Paul Coutts, Mark Hughes could captain the side. He is likely to be partnered by Nick Anderton in central defence.
With Trevor Clarke set to miss out with a groin injury, Cian Harries should start at left-back for the second successive league game.
Alfie Kilgour, Jack Baldwin, Pablo Martinez and Connor Taylor are centre-back options for the bench, with Alex Rodman back available should Barton decide to operate with wing-backs.
Midfield
After a stodgy opening to the season, Finley's long-awaited debut comes at a good time as Barton vies to ignite Rovers' season. The all-action midfielder should come straight into the midfield after proving his fitness in a training ground game on Tuesday.
Finley will likely be partnered in the base of midfield by Josh Grant, with Ben Liddle dropping to the bench.
Luke Thomas and Harry Anderson are likely to continue on the wings, with Sam Nicholson perhaps better used as an impact substitute on a phased return to action after a significant injury and operation.
Zain Westbrooke could play as the number 10, with Aaron Collins, like Nicholson, probably in need of a gradual return after a thigh injury.
Sion Spence, Cameron Hargreaves and Ryan Jones could make the bench.
Attack
Collins' return to fitness does give Rovers an extra option up top, but with Barton likely to be cautious on the players' fitness Harvey Saunders will keep his place.
Brett Pitman and Brandon Hanlan remain ruled out with knee and ankle injuries respectively, meaning 16-year-old Jarmani Langlais – who made his senior debut in the week – could be an outside shout for the bench again.
Rovers (4-2-3-1): Jaakkola; Hoole, Hughes, Anderton, Harries; Grant, Finley; Thomas, Westbrooke, Anderson; Saunders.
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