Jordan Rossiter could make his first appearance in a Bristol Rovers shirt this weekend against Swansea City after an injury-hit start to pre-season for the midfielder.
Rossiter joined the Gas from Fleetwood Town for an undisclosed fee last month, but a calf niggle in the first week of training has delayed his preparation for the new campaign, but his boss Joey Barton is hopeful Rossiter will play some part on Saturday.
The Gas face Championship side Swansea in a behind-closed-doors game at their training ground, in what will be Rovers' penultimate friendly before the League One campaign begins with the visit of Forest Green Rovers to the Mem on July 30.
After returning to training, there is confidence Rossiter can return to match action in South Wales on Saturday.
"Jordy’s trained and the game probably came three or four days early for him," Barton said. "Hopefully we’ll get him some minutes on Saturday, all being well."
Barton was present for Rovers' 3-1 defeat at Bath City on Tuesday, with a separate squad winning 4-1 away at Chippenham Town at the same time. He saw few positives in the performance at Twerton Park, but he is pleased with the fitness gains made with the new season little more than a fortnight away.
"Everyone got 90 minutes and everyone got through the game," Barton said. "Alfie Kilgour coming back from a long-term injury. Josh Grant, getting 90 minutes into his tank will be key. Sam Finley off the back of a bit of tonsillitis.
"The real bright spark for me was Aaron Collins again. He looked like he summered really well and he was probably our most influential player. It would have been alright had one or two had turned up with him. Unfortunately, the other eight or nine decided to not have their best games.
"But we got the 90 minutes in and we look to get them back in, reassess the bodied and build towards the game on Saturday against Swansea."
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