Harrold To Return On Saturday?

Injured striker Matt Harrold is seemingly in contention for a place in the Rovers squad for this Saturday's game with Northampton Town at the Memorial Stadium.

Harrold at Torquay in April - Lifted from: bristolpost.com

Harrold returned from a cruciate ligament injury in time to come on as a substitute and score a dramatic late equaliser on the final day of last season against Torquay United but suffered a groin strain in a friendly against Reading. What was only thought to be a minor issue has turned into one that has kept the forward out of action for over a month.

It's been frustrating for both Harrold and for manager John Ward but it seems that he is now very close to returning. Ward explained that Harrold would be taking part in a training ground match this afternoon against AFC Bournemouth and hopes to have him come through the test unscathed. Should this happen he will be among the squad who tackle the Cobblers this weekend, just in time to play his way into Ward's thinking for the upcoming Bristol derby next Wednesday.

Defender Garry Kenneth and midfielder Matt Gill are in similar positions after recovering from injury but are further along the line having played in previous training ground matches. Gill also came on as a late substitute against York City last weekend for his first taste of competitive football since well before last Christmas. The reintroduction of all 3 players into the first team squad will be a massive boost to everyone as focus switches to maintaining a winning run.