Gas Gossip: Downes' injury is a huge blow (From Gazette Series)

Bristol Rovers fans' panel by Jeff Bolitho

9:00am Thursday 9th February 2012 in Sport

THE cancellation of Saturday’s game at Aldershot may have been a blessing in disguise as Rovers have been hit by a spate of injuries to key personnel.

The news announced last week that Aaron Downes could miss the rest of the season came as a huge blow as we have looked much more solid defensively since his arrival on loan from Chesterfield.

He has added leadership and a calm assurance to the back four and the Gas have stopped leaking goals as a result.

It now seems likely that Byron Anthony will be handed a chance to regain his place and hopefully he will seize the chance and respond well to McGhee’s management.

With Sawyer also out injured new recruit Paterson was set to make his Rovers debut sooner than he would have expected.

His experience and previous spells with McGhee should make him a worthy addition to the squad.

The signing of Lund on loan from Stoke will also boost competition for places in midfield, where the recent return of captain Gill has been welcome.

The postponement of the Aldershot game was no great surprise as the adverse weather conditions wreaked havoc across the country.

But it was also timely for Matt Harrold, giving him an extra week to recover from injury, particularly as we will miss the suspended Zebroski for the next two games.

Hopefully Harrold will be fit and raring to go against Morecambe at the Memorial Stadium on Saturday and a forward partnership of him and Eliot Richards could have potential.

Anyinsah, Carayol and Woodards could also return from injury and will add experience and quality to the side.

If the game survives the freeze it represents another good chance to secure three points and build on the impressive start to McGhee’s reign.

It will also give the manager an extra week to work with the players and become more familiar with the strengths and weaknesses of the squad.

Paul Buckle did recruit some decent players to the Pirates during his ill-fated spell, but somehow seemed unable to manage them or bring the best out in them.

If McGhee can achieve that objective then Gasheads will be in for an enjoyable remainder of the season.

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