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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
Sport
David Byrom

'Unlikely to be risked' - Bristol Rovers expected team for Swindon Town EFL Trophy match

A bonus point draw will be enough to see Bristol Rovers through to the next round of the EFL Trophy this evening.

The Gas host Swindon Town and sit third in the group, a point behind Plymouth Argyle, who have a better goal difference.

With Plymouth having completed their fixtures, their goal difference is now set in stone, meaning Rovers cannot afford to pick up just a point if they want to progress.

Here is how we think the Gas will line up for the game.

Goalkeeper

Bristol Rovers goalkeeper Jordi van Stappershoef (Ryan Hiscott/JMP)

Jordi van Stappershoef will start in goal. Anssi Jaakkola is away on international duty with Finland and would not have played anyway, with Dutchman van Stappershoef having so far played in both EFL Trophy games.

With Finland playing on Monday, it is unlikely that Jaakkola will be involved in the FA Cup replay against Bromley on Tuesday, meaning two strong performances in a row from van Stappershoef could boost his claims for a first team place.

Defence

Rollin Menayese of Bristol Rovers contends for the aerial ball with George Nunn of Chelsea (Ryan Hiscott/JMP)

Mark Little should continue at right-back. Alfie Kilgour has played there before, but Little has started just two games since returning from an injury suffered in September, so Graham Coughlan could be keen to test the player's fitness.

In the middle, it would not be a surprise to see Rollin Menayese start at centre-back, but the question is who will he play alongside? Tony Craig started Rovers' first EFL Trophy game against Plymouth, whilst Tom Davies and Kilgour started the second against Chelsea under-21s.

It is unlikely that Davies will be risked from the start after missing a couple of games through injury and Craig has played a lot of games recently, so Kilgour could be given the nod.

Tareiq Holmes-Dennis could be included in a Rovers first-team squad for the first time since April, but it is unlikely he will start at left-back. Instead, Michael Kelly could continue.

Midfield

Edward Upson of Bristol Rovers battles with Callum Camps of Rochdale (Jack Phillips/JMP)

Alex Rodman should start on the right wing. He has featured regularly for Rovers so far this season, but Graham Coughlan seems to like to use the versatile player in EFL Trophy matches as well.

Ed Upson was up for press pre-match and, like Rodman, seems to be a senior player that Coughlan is prepared to use in EFL Trophy matches.

Who starts alongside Upson is another talking point, with Ollie Clarke set to have a pre-match fitness test. It is unlikely that Rovers will risk their captain for this game, though, and we could well see young Cam Hargreaves given a start instead after some promising cameos.

Kyle Bennett will likely start on the left against his former side after his lack of football recently.

Attack

Tom Nichols of Bristol Rovers battles with Chris Bush of Bromley (Ryan Hiscott/JMP)

Deon Moore was sent out on loan on Tuesday, which rules him out of contention for the game. Instead, Tom Nichols could be given a start in an attempt to rediscover his confidence following a barren 10 weeks without a goal.

Tyler Smith should start alongside Nichols, but do not be surprised if Kieran Phillips makes the squad after some promising under-18 performances.

Bristol Rovers predicted line-up (4-4-2): Van Stappershoef; Little, Menayese, Kilgour, Kelly; Rodman, Upson, Hargreaves, Bennett; Nichols, Smith.

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