Team News From The Rovers Camp

Last updated : 29 December 2007 By Thetashkentterror

Paul Trollope
Pirates boss Paul Trollope spoke to BBC Radio Bristol after his side's disappointing 1-1 Boxing Day draw at home to a Luton Town side that ended the game with eight men, Trollope also looking ahead to the match against Carlisle at the Memorial Stadium tomorrow :


" I said to the players at the end that I didn't feel like being positive about the next game but I always like to finish on one. It's an immediate chance to bounce back for us, I think we'll be missing a few through suspension and maybe a few through injury after today but it's a different game to today obviously.

" They are going well, we had a good game up there, again we felt that we didn't take the chances to win it. It's one to look forward to, the fans are frustrated at the end and we can understand that. The players are frustrated and the staff are frustrated so it has not been a great Boxing Day for us. We've got to bounce back quickly, we'll regroup and work hard and make sure that we are ready.

" Danny Coles is out after five bookings - the same as Craig Disley so we'll have to replace them. Lewis Haldane looks like he is doubtful as well so we've got a few worries. People have come in before though and coped very well and done well for us so it's another chance for them. It's important that we put in a good performance, we need another home win and we'll be ready to go on Saturday.

" Everyone is disappointed, as the fans are, but we need them to stick with us. They are frustrated and we understand but they must see that the players are giving all that they have got. They could be braver in goalscoring situations and we do need quality but they are playing for the shirt and they are playing with a good spirit. So obviously we ask for them to stick with it and hopefully together we can win on Saturday. "


Rovers definitely have two players out suspended tomorrow while two others may miss the game through the injury. On loan Hull City central defender Danny Coles and central midfielder Craig Disley are both sidelined as they sit out one-match suspensions after hitting the five yellow card mark for the season with bookings picked up in the 1-0 defeat at Leeds last Saturday.

The two Pirates who may be out through injury are pacey winger Lewis Haldane who lasted only 11 minutes of their 1-1 home Boxing Day draw with Luton before limping off with a hamstring problem. The probable absence of Haldane may see Chris Carruthers recalled at left-back with Joe Jacobson then moving further up that flank.

One defender definitely out of contention for the game is ex-Cardiff City centre-half Byron Anthony. The Newport-born 23-year old suffered a broken metatarsal in a Johnstone's Paint Trophy tie against Bournemouth in October and has been told told that the bone will take 12 weeks to heal - with a comeback date therefore pencilled in for early January.

Meanwhile young frontman Sean Rigg, who was infamously on the end of a right hook from Barrow defender James Cotterill last season, suffered a recurrence of his hamstring injury in the Elland Road defeat which is expected to keep him out for at least another couple of weeks.

To cover for injuries in forward areas Rovers boss Paul Trollope has recalled Welsh under-17 international striker Josh Klein-Davies from his loan spell with British Gas Business Premier Division side Yate Town. Although moving out from the Memorial Stadium to a club in the same division is teenage midfielder James Fraser who has joined Tiverton Town on a temporary basis.


The referee for tomorrow's match is Roger East from Wilton in Wiltshire, and he will be assisted down the lines by two Cornishmen in Mark Philpott from Falmouth and Malcolm West from St Austell. Meanwhile the fourth official will be Simon Knapp from Bristol.