Jed Ward has broken his hand, ruling the Bristol Rovers teenager out for several weeks, and leaving the Gas with just two senior goalkeepers, with Anssi Jaakkola also still recovering from an illness.
Ward has been on loan with National League South side Hungerford Town but continues to train with the Gas as part of the agreement and Bristol Live understands he sustained the injury at The Quarters last week.
The 19-year-old last played for Hungerford on September 14 in a 4-1 defeat to Havant & Waterlooville and hasn’t featured in a Rovers matchday squad since the 1-0 League Cup defeat to Crawley Town on August 9.
It’s not an immediate problem for Rovers, but should an injury befall No1 James Belshaw or Jaakkola during his injury absence, the Gas will be left with only untested options from within the academy to fill any gaps in the matchday squad.
Finland international Jaakkola nearly didn’t make the bench against Exeter City on Saturday due to illness and the plan is for the 35-year-old to play tonight against Crystal Palace in the Papa John’s Trophy and give Belshaw a rest. However, with the slightly precarious situation, Belshaw may be forced to start against the Eagles at the Mem, giving Jaakkola maximum time to recover.
Joey Barton will make changes to his line-up tonight, but equally doesn’t want to go overboard as he tries and build on the momentum from the 2-2 draw at Exeter. Giving Belshaw a night off was thought to be in his planning, with Rovers’ reigning Player of the Year at fault for one of the Grecians goals on Saturday.
“We will shuffle the deck on Tuesday night but we want to keep this momentum for the next 10-game block,” Barton said.
Jaakkola has also been acting as Rovers’ goalkeeper coach this season, following the departure of Tony Warner to Reading, but has received additional support in recent weeks with the return of David Coles to the club.
SIGN UP: To receive our free Rovers newsletter, bringing you the latest from the Mem
READ NEXT:
