Promise Omochere hasn’t been definitively ruled out of Bristol Rovers’ FA Cup first round tie with Weston-super-Mare on Saturday but there is a good chance the striker won’t be available as he recovers from an ankle issue picked up at Reading last weekend.
The 24-year-old came off late in the first half of the 1-0 defeat against the Royals but Matt Taylor confirmed on Tuesday night after the 3-2 loss to Exeter City in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy that the forward was doing okay.
It isn’t an issue that is expected to keep the Irishman out for a lengthy period of time but he is yet to get back on the grass less than two days before matchday.
“I don’t want to sit here and rule him out on a Thursday afternoon,” Taylor declared ahead of this weekend’s cup tie. “I want to give him as much time as we possibly can. But it’s looking less and less likely. He’s not been out on the grass as yet.
“Obviously, the pain and the effects he was feeling at the start of the week are still lingering. So, look, we’ll test him. We’ll give him as much time as we possibly can. So maybe a late call on Saturday.”
After his first start in two months earlier this week, Chris Martin is expected to be involved once again on Saturday while Gatlin O’Donkor is still sidelined with a hamstring issue. Additionally, Shaq Forde is suspended for just this game after being shown two yellow cards at Reading.
Although he hasn’t scored since his brace against Cambridge United at the end of August, Omocherehas proven to be a serious handful for defenders and contributed three assists during the month of October.
Elsewhere, Joel Senior is back on the grass as the right-back closes in on his return to action after picking up a serious hamstring injury against Stockport County in late August, the same game in which Martin broke is fibula.
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Although this weekend comes too quickly, seeing the 25-year-old deemed available for next weekend’s League One game at home to Lincoln City isn’t impossible.
Senior was one of 16 summer arrivals but has only made four appearances for the Gas having picked up a serious injury early into his Gas tenure.
“He’s back on the grass,” Taylor revealed. “He got up to top speed on Tuesday and, for our fastest player, that’s a big moment for him to test that hamstring. He needs now a week, 10 days worth of training and getting the work any football player needs to get back to some sort of rhythm and timing.
“We’ve got a game pencilled in here for a week on Tuesday, which might be his return. 45 minutes, maybe an hour, but I don’t want to rule him out of Lincoln just yet. You never know what will happen with our other right-backs, other defenders, having all players available is absolutely key.
“So let’s see how he gets on next week in training. But great that he’s out there, pain free, moving well and almost ready for a second coming.”