Aldershot V Bristol Rovers at The EBB Stadium at the Recreation Ground : Match Preview

Published: 03 Feb 2012 - 11:01:19

Smith set for Shots bowBen Smith will hope to make his debut for Aldershot at home to Bristol Rovers.The experienced midfielder arrived from Crawley on a three-month loan deal on transfer deadline day and is set to get his chance following the surprise departure of Jamie Collins to Forest Green for an undisclosed fee.January has been a hectic month for Shots boss Dean Holdsworth and the first match of February will bring welcome relief as his much-changed side welcome a resurgent Rovers who have taken 10 of the last 12 points on offer.Holdsworth will be reluctant to make too many other changes to a Shots side who saw off AFC Wimbledon 2-1 last weekend to end a barren six-match run without a goal and record their first victory since mid-December.Striker Michael Rankine (leg) and midfielder Alex Rodman (viral infection) are both out for the rest of the season, while defender Aaron Brown this week had his contract terminated by mutual consent.Mark McGhee will be unable to call on Chris Zebroski as he looks to maintain his 100 per cent record as Bristol Rovers manager.McGhee has won both of his first two matches since assuming the role at the Memorial Stadium, but will face the Shots without the suspended Zebroski, who sits out the first match of a two-game ban. Scott McGleish is likely to deputise up front alongside Eliot Richards.Rovers could welcome back top scorer Matt Harrold after an ankle injury, however, while Joe Anyinsah is available after shrugging off a hamstring problem.Mustapha Carayol is still ruled out with a groin problem, while defender Adam Virgo (knee ligaments) and midfielder Wayne Brown (ankle) remain long-term absentees.Aaron Downes could be sidelined for the rest of the campaign after picking up a knee injury during the 2-1 victory over Bradford last weekend, and defenders Dan Woodards (groin) and Gary Sawyer have both been discounted from selection.New signing Jim Paterson could be in line for his debut in Rovers' depleted defensive line.

Aldershot V Bristol Rovers - view commentary, squad, and statictics of the game live.

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