Burton v Bristol Rovers preview

Team news for Saturday's League Two clash between Burton Albion and Bristol Rovers at the Pirelli Stadium.

Last Updated: 12/10/12 at 10:30   

Zola: Doubtful for Rovers clash

Zola: Doubtful for Rovers clash

Striker Calvin Zola is rated as 50/50 for Burton.

The 27-year-old had scored five goals in four games when a hamstring injury last month brought an end to his purple patch.

He has not featured since, but manager Gary Rowett is hopeful Zola will be able to lead the line once again to galvanise a team which has scored just once in their last two outings.

The Brewers will be forced to make a change in midfield as Robbie Weir has accumulated five yellow cards, meaning he will serve an automatic one-match suspension.

Weir has been an ever-present for Rowett's men in League Two this term, with Cleveland Taylor and Jack Dyer among those hoping to be promoted to the starting XI in his absence.

Rowett has no other injury or suspension concerns as Burton look to build on their impressive start which sees them sitting in the final play-off position.

Bristol Rovers boss Mark McGhee will be without skipper Matt Gill.

The midfielder was withdrawn from the warm-up before Saturday's game against Northampton after complaining of a sore knee.

Gill visited a specialist on Wednesday and tests revealed further damage leaving him sidelined for up to six weeks.

Although if surgery is required he could be out for up to three months leaving McGhee to consider a move in the loan market.

"If Matt is out for longer than six weeks, we'd certainly have to think about the possibility of bringing someone in on loan," he told the Bristol Post.

Striker David Clarkson was forced to drop into midfield last weekend but McGhee doesn't view that as a long-term solution.

Defender Danny Woodards returned to training earlier this week after recovering from a broken leg but isn't expected to feature until the end of the month.

But David Clarkson (ankle) and Derek Riordan (hamstring) are both expected to travel despite being substituted last weekend.

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npower League 2

Position Team P GD PTS
1 Gillingham 46 27 83
2 Rotherham 46 15 79
3 Port Vale 46 35 78
4 Burton Alb 46 6 76
5 Cheltenham 46 7 75
6 Northamptn 46 9 73
7 Bradford 46 11 69
8 Chesterfld 46 15 67
9 Oxford Utd 46 -1 65
10 Exeter 46 1 64
11 Southend 46 6 61
12 Rochdale 46 -2 61
13 Fleetwood 46 -2 60
14 Bristol R 46 -9 60
15 Wycombe 46 -10 60
16 Morecambe 46 -6 58
17 York City 46 -10 55
18 Accrington 46 -17 54
19 Torquay 46 -7 53
20 AFC W'don 46 -22 53
21 Plymouth 46 -9 52
22 Dag + Red 46 -7 51
23 Barnet 46 -12 51
24 Aldershot 46 -18 48

Updated Sat, 27 Apr 2013

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