Joey Barton hopes Josh Grant can still play a part in the run-in for Bristol Rovers as the defender races against the clock to recover from a knee injury.
The utility player has scored three goals for the Gas this season, impressing in a fine run of form over the winter, but his season has been marred by injuries. Plantar fasciitis sidelined the 23-year-old at the start of the season, and he has recently suffered with patellar tendinitis, meaning the former Chelsea prospect has played just 17 times in League Two for Barton's Gas this term.
Grant – a player Barton has named as his favourite due to his versatility and football IQ – has had an injection in his knee to address the issue and the manager he is hopeful he can feature before the end of the season with eight games remaining after returning to training this week. His most recent appearance was in February's draw at Sutton United.
