Bristol Rovers' injury list has almost cleared with defender James Connolly set to return to action next week after almost two months on the sidelines. The defender has been recovering from a back stress fracture and his absence has been problematic for Joey Barton, but he will not have to wait much longer for his comeback.
The 20-year-old centre-back is pushing to play some part in Rovers' EFL Trophy group stage tie against Swindon Town on Tuesday after returning to training with his teammates this week. A key member of Rovers' promotion-winning team last season, he has been limited to just five appearances this season, missing the past eight league games.
His absence coincided with a series of injuries in defence for Barton to contend with, leading to a downturn in form for the Gas, but the return of Lewis Gibson and James Gibbons from calf and foot issues has helped solidify the backline, winning three straight games in all competitions and concerning just once in the process. And Connolly's imminent return will give Barton even more options when setting up his defence.
"He’s back on the grass and back with the group," Barton said. "He’s wanting minutes in the Swindon game but we’ve got to keep moving him through the gears of training.
"I think, if he gets through everything, there should be minutes for him in that Swindon game and then that brings him back into the fold."
Connolly joined Rovers on loan from Cardiff City in January and, alongside Stoke City loanee Connor Taylor, he played a pivotal role in Rovers' promotion. The Gas conceded just 16 goals in the 24 League Two games in which he started after joining, and that form prompted Barton to sign him on a permanent deal from the Bluebirds for a six-figure fee this summer.
The Wales under-21 international had made a good start to this season, scoring in the win at Burton Albion before the stress fracture was discovered.
Centre-back Alfie Kilgour, meanwhile, is available again after clearing concussion protocol. He had been ruled out of action after taking a kick to the head in the EFL Trophy win over Crystal Palace under-21s, in which he scored the opener, on October 4.
Young midfielder Jerry Lawrence (groin) and goalkeeper Jed Ward (hand) remain on the injury list, but the situation when it comes to senior players is looking a lot more positive than a few weeks ago. Aside from Connolly and Josh Grant, who has been ruled out for the season after knee surgery, John Marquis is the only other man on the injury report; he is a doubt for Saturday's trip to Cheltenham Town after tweaking knee ligaments in the Crystal Palace game.
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