Gill Ruled Out

Rovers midfielder Matt Gill has been ruled out for several weeks due to an ongoing knee problem. A scan was inconclusive and he will undergo exploratory surgery over the next few days to rectify the problem.

Knee injury sidelines Gill

If it is just a 'tidy up' job then Gill could be back within 6 weeks but if anything more serious needs to be done he may be out until January. The loss of an experienced player is a blow to Mark McGhee, particularly as he hoped we were coming out of our phase of sustaining injuries, and may be something he needs to address in the loan market. He's not ruled out bringing someone in to cover for Gill but he explained that the 55% wage cap needed to be considered and, as a result, someone may have to move out if we're to bring a player in. Joe Anyinsah and Lee Brown appear the most likely candidates for a short-term loan move although nothing has been sorted as yet. We won 3-1 against Northampton without our captain on Saturday to prove we can cope with his loss and we may just have found our long-term Bristol Rovers captain in Garry Kenneth. The big Scot assumed the role against the Cobblers and helped to mastermind a solid performance, leading his team with assurance and pride. You sense that he wants it just as much as we want him to have it.

Despite Gill's injury, there is good news coming out of the Rovers treatment room. Danny Woodards, last season's player of the year, is back in full training and is just a few weeks from being available to play. McGhee has targeted the Accrington Stanley game on October 27 for Woody to get back up to full fitness and compete for a first team place. Shaquille Hunter is also in training but hasn't taken part in any contact-based sessions because the club do not want to rush him back in too early. His return will be quite exciting as the highly rated youngster will provide pace in the right wing position which is something we currently lack. The return of both players is eagerly anticipated.