Tounkara Signs; Clarkson Ruled Out For Rest Of Season

Oumare Tounkara signs until the end of the season

Rovers today completed the short-term signing of trialist Oumare Tounkara to boost their attacking options for the remaining 12 games of the League Two season. The forward, who stands at 6ft1, has been training with the boys this week and has impressed manager John Ward enough to earn a 2 month contract until the end of the season. He is a former Sunderland prospect and has enjoyed 2 loan spels with League One outfit Oldham Athletic in recent seasons. If both parties are happy come the summer then the deal is open for extension. He is available for selection immediately and will be in the squad this weekend.

I'm sure Ward's decision to hand the Frenchman a deal was influenced in some way by the news confirmed this morning that David Clarkson will miss the rest of the season as he requires on operation on his injured ankle. He's been having trouble with it for much of the season and can't quite seem to get it to heal and it has been decided that an operation is needed. It's hugely disappointing for us and for Clarky because he's a very talented footballer and it leaves us very thin on the ground in terms of experienced senior pros. Hopefully he'll be fit for the start of pre-season and can come back stronger than ever before.

Ward has also announced that Ryan Brunt could return for the game against Burton Albion on Saturday as he returns from his own injury problem. He missed the midweek defeat to Northampton Town but trained yesterday and this morning in a bid to prove his fitness and it is hoped he can join in with the group work that will take place tomorrow. A partnership of Brunt and Tounkara is something that could be considered to offer us different qualities to the ones shown by Eliot Richards and Tom Hitchcock in the last couple of matches.

I wish Clarky the best of luck in his recovery.