Hanlan set to make his Rovers return against Gillingham
BRISTOL Rovers striker Brandon Hanlan will be fit to face his former club Gillingham tomorrow, Gas boss Paul Tisdale has revealed.
Hanlan was an unused substitute for Sunday’s FA Cup rout of Darlington, having missed the trip to Wigan Athletic a few days previously with a sore ankle.
But the number nine, who turned down a new contract at Gills to join Rovers in September, is set to return to the starting line-up for tomorrow’s vital League One clash at the Memorial Stadium.
Rovers sit in the relegation zone on goal difference and are winless in six league games, but Hanlan’s return will be a big boost for Tisdale with strikers James Daly and Jonah Ayunga set to miss out.
“Brandon was there on Sunday and I didn’t use him so unless something happens between now and Wednesday I’m sure he’ll be back into the mix,” the manager said. “I think Wednesday is going to be very different from Sunday, a different style of intensity and tempo to the game, so there’ll be different talking points from me going into the build-up.
“The benefit of this situation is that there are so many games taking place so quickly.
“I’m learning and getting a picture of how we’re going to play and they’re learning about me and what I’m asking of them.”
Gillingham occupy 13th spot in the table, with 17 points on the board, and Tisdale is expecting a tough examination from Steve Evans’ side. “I admire any manager who gets the best out of his players and gives them a clear understanding of their jobs,” said Tisdale. “There’s total clarity in what he (Evans) does with his players, they work to his beat.”