Bristol Rovers could be without an out-and-out centre-forward for their Bristol Street Motors Trophy game at home to Exeter City on Tuesday night and possibly beyond after Promise Omochere picked up an ankle injury in the Gas’ 1-0 defeat to Reading on Saturday.
Gatlin O’Donkor has already been sidelined for a couple of weeks with a hamstring injury picked up against Swindon Town in the last Bristol Street Motors Trophy match while Chris Martin is close to a return to action but it isn’t yet clear whether he’ll be risked against the Grecians.
The 35-year-old suffered a broken fibula in the 2-0 defeat at Stockport County in August but his targeted return is against either Exeter on Tuesday or Weston-super-Mare in the FA Cup on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Omochere was taken off late in the first half at Reading with an ankle concern but didn’t leave the Select Car Leasing Stadium with any sort of protective boot or crutches and was able to walk out unassisted. However, Rovers will have to wait for a scan to get a full prognosis on the issue.
“I don’t know if Promise’s is serious or not. He’ll have all the scans and he’s walked out of here so I don’t think it’s an X-ray, but he’ll have a scan and we’ll take from there.”
On Martin, the Gas manager added: “The next couple of games are always earmarked for some sort of match minutes for Chris Martin in some form, but will be very minimal. We now have to build them up, but then as much as you’re building them up, then you’ve got half an eye on if he broke down on his stage, then you’d really be in trouble.
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“The game is one to look forward to. There’s obviously going to be changes. That’s two massive physical efforts in terms of Tuesday night against Shrewsbury and then today. So there’ll be some we have to take out the firing line physically, so I don’t quite know what personnel can put out just yet.”
Additionally, it is understood that Shaq Forde will be available for Tuesday night’s game despite being sent off against the Royals with his one-game suspension set to come into play in the FA Cup tie against Weston-super-Mare.
The forward was shown two yellow cards either side of half-time at the Select Car Leasing Stadium and can play at striker but has been used more as a right-sided forward.
Unfortunately, the 20-year-old was subject to racist abuse online in the aftermath of Saturday’s defeat with Rovers putting out a strong statement in response.