Jordan Rossiter has suffered another setback in his return from a knee injury, Bristol Rovers manager Joey Barton has confirmed.
The midfielder has not played since damaging his meniscus in an EFL Trophy win over MK Dons in December, having two operations to address the problem.
The 25-year-old was gradually working his way back into contention, but he is on crutches once again after requiring a procedure to remove fluid from his knee earlier this week.
There is hope the issue has finally been cleared up and Rossiter – who has been a stabilising presence in midfield and is being sorely missed – can play some part before the end of the season, but his spell on the sidelines is set to last several more weeks.
“That was a bit of a blow,” Barton said of the news. “He had to have a procedure on Monday. He had a bit of fluid and he had to get it tidied up.
“He had an operation in December, came back and had a setback and had to go back in and got an operation on it again. Then he had the fluid come up and he had to get it cleared out and tidied up.
“We’re hoping that is everything sorted out for him now and he’s back on the road to recovery. They think there will be games for him (before the end of the season) but if there is another setback it will probably put him out for the season.
“But he has still got a chance of playing a part in the season. How long is a piece of string at the moment? We have got to see in the next couple of weeks if it has cleared up.”
There is better news in the case of Lewis Gibson, who is back in individual training after spending the past month out with a thigh injury. The centre-back is not in contention for Saturday’s trip to Lincoln City, but he is closing in on a return.
“Lewis is back out on the grass and is not a million miles away, so that is a real positive,” Barton said.
“He’s on the grass but he hasn’t joined in with the group yet. We have got to be mega careful with him. The key is we get him back for most of the season.
“If we were two points outside of the play-offs, you might start rushing him back, but we will play it by ear. He is chomping at the bit to get back, but a week Saturday might be too soon.”
Antony Evans and James Belshaw, meanwhile, both missed out on places in the squad for Saturday’s 2-0 defeat to MK Dons, but they are both due back in the coming days.
Midfielder Evans has trained as he nurses a foot issue, while goalkeeper Belshaw is earmarked for a return to the fold from a muscle issue in between his ribs for Tuesday’s game against Ipswich Town – by which time Ellery Balcombe’s three-game loan clause will have been served.
Barton added: “Antony trained, but Belly hasn’t trained with the group today. I think he’s alright, though, he’s had an injection. He may be able to train tomorrow, but he didn’t train with the group today although he was out on the grass.
“He may train tomorrow, but I think he will be fit for Tuesday if selected. Let’s see what happens after this weekend’s game, the next one is key.
“Evo has trained today. He has got a bruise on his foot and they can be really painful at times, especially if they get on your bone. It’s on his right foot, as well, which he utilises more than his left.
“He trained alright today and I think he’ll be fine, unless he has a reaction overnight, but I think he’ll be OK.”
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