Branston set for Rovers bow
Bristol Rovers' new signing Guy Branston could go straight into the starting line-up to face his former club Bradford.
The 33-year-old ex-Torquay centre-back joined on Thursday after fellow defender Tom Parkes suffered an ankle injury in the 4-0 defeat at Port Vale on Tuesday.
Mark McGhee is also expected to include on-loan Chelsea keeper Sam Walker in his side after Fulham recalled Neil Etheridge to Craven Cottage.
Meanwhile Rovers hope on-loan Leicester defender Cian Bolger will return to the club next Wednesday after a three-month absence with a knee injury. Bolger is set to play in two practice games for parent club Leicester over the weekend.
McGhee's men host Bradford with two points separating them from rock-bottom Barnet at the foot of npower League Two.
Bradford's latest loan signing Blair Turgott could go straight into the squad for the clash after arriving from West Ham.
The England Under-19 international joined just before the loan deadline and will stay at the club for two months.
Central defender Carl McHugh will make only his second league start due to a defensive crisis at Valley Parade.
Manager Phil Parkinson, already without Andrew Davies (knee) and Luke Oliver (Achilles) due to season-ending injuries, drafted in John Egan on loan from Sunderland as cover, but broke his right leg in the midweek win over Plymouth. Fellow Irishman McHugh replaced Egan and is expected to start alongside Rory McArdle at the weekend.
Defenders Stephen Darby (hip) and James Meredith (groin) shook off their respective injuries to last the full 90 minutes in midweek and will continue, but striker Zavon Hines will be sidelined for another two to three weeks after a scan revealed the full extent of his ankle injury.
Midfielder Ritchie Jones returned to contention on Tuesday night following a back problem and could feature on the bench again.
Source: PA
