Bristol Rovers announced the signing of Lewis Gibson from Everton on the eve of Saturday's clash with Oxford United, and the wave of new options will feel much larger for Joey Barton with several players set to return to the fold.
Club captain Paul Coutts is back in contention for the visit of the Us after completing a four-match suspension stemming back to the end of last season, and he is set to be joined in the squad on Saturday by Jordan Rossiter and Josh Grant after missing action with hamstring and knee issues respectively.
The result is a stronger squad for Barton, who has lacked senior options to call on from the bench so far this season. Here is how the Gas could line up for today's game...
What XI would you select? Have your say in the comments section below...
Goalkeeper and defence
Goalkeeper James Belshaw is set to have a reshuffled defence in front of him on Saturday from the win at Burton seven days ago. James Gibbons would have been desperate for some better luck on the injury front after an unfortunate run of issues at Port Vale, but he is set to miss two to three months of action with a stress fracture in his foot that he suffered at the Pirelli Stadium a week ago.
As a result, Luca Hoole is set to play at right-back, with James Connolly moving to right centre-back. That will allow loan signing Gibson to play in his preferred position as the left centre-back, with Lewis Gordon in line to make his third straight start for the Gas since signing last week.
Should Gibson be ready to make his debut, Alfie Kilgour is the man who will likely miss out, dropping to the bench. Grant should also be among the substitutes, offering great versatility with his ability to play across the defence and midfield.
Anssi Jaakkola will be the backup keeper after young prospect Jed Ward was sent to National League South side Hungerford Town on loan.
Midfield
The return of captain Coutts is a big boost for Barton. The Scotsman has had some injury niggles in pre-season, but with his suspension complete he is set to come straight into the XI. He will likely play alongside Sam Finley, who has been outstanding in his two games this season and the return of his usual midfield partner could enable him to influence the game more in an attacking capacity.
On the bench, Rossiter and Grant offer excellent options to freshen things up in the closing stages with Coutts and Finley short of full match fitness.
Player-coach Glenn Whelan and youngster Jerry Lawrence could also be named among the substitutes.
Attack
The return of Coutts could enable Antony Evans to return to a more familiar role as the number 10 playing behind the striker after playing in the centre of midfield for the past two games. Should that be the case, John Marquis will be pushed further forward as the number nine, with Ryan Loft dropping to the bench.
Out wide, Aaron Collins and Harry Anderson are sure to start again after starting the season in good form.
Harvey Saunders will make the bench, with Ryan Jones also vying for a place in the 18, too.
Rovers (4-2-3-1): Belshaw; Hoole, Connolly, Gibson, Gordon; Coutts (c), Finley; Anderson, Evans, Collins; Marquis.
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