News

Rovers’ manager Carl Abbott continues to face selection challenges this evening, with his squad heavily impacted by injuries, unavailability, and suspensions.

Defender Jacob Sturgess, who has impressed when called upon this season, is unavailable due to work commitments abroad this week whilst striker Fin Barker, who made a second-half substitute appearance on Saturday, will also miss out as he continues his recovery to fitness from a lengthy 4 week injury layoff.

In a further blow, centre-back Will Robinson will serve the one-match ban pick up following his two yellow cards against Heanor Town last Monday, while defender Ben Gough has left the club in search of regular football elsewhere. Defender Louis Anthony’s continued absence due to concussion countdown enters its 3rd week of 4 as his enforced break from football continues following a sickening collision of heads in the recent FA Cup match against Sporting Khalsa at the Moat ground on Sept 17th.

However, there is some positive news for Rovers, as Jude Collins is back in the squad having returned to Barwell for their FA Cup tie on Saturday as part of the dual registration agreement between the clubs. Jack Andrews is also back in contention after missing the last couple of games, and Jordi Gough will undergo a late fitness test.

Danny Munday is available for selection tonight before starting a three-match ban on Saturday as a result of his dismissal against AFC Mansfield at the weekend.

The club has continued its efforts to sign former Derby County U21 defender Harrison Solomon over recent days. It was hoped that Solomon, who is back in the UK from a soccer scholarship in the USA until after Christmas, would be signed before Saturday's game. However, as of late morning, the situation remained frustratingly wrapped in red tape and bureaucracy at the FA, which has taken seven days to resolve. The issue was linked to Solomon still being registered with the FA as under contract with his former club, Derby County.

The FA needed to resolve this minor admin issue before Solomon could be registered with the new club. After a week of frustration waiting for the FA to action despite numerous escalations, the issue finally appears to have been resolved, and the club is awaiting confirmation from the UCL this afternoon that Solomon's registration has gone through in time for his inclusion in tonight's squad.