Garner wants fringe players to give him selection headaches

BRISTOL Rovers boss Ben Garner has urged his fringe players to give him more “selection headaches” with a good performance at Oxford United in the EFL Trophy tonight.

The Gas travel to the Kassam Stadium buoyed by their first win of the season, a 2-0 victory over Northampton at the Memorial Stadium on Saturday.

A much-changed lineup is expected to take on Karl Robinson’s side, with seven games on Rovers’ calendar for the rest of the month.

Garner has urged those who get their chance against the Us to force their way into his thoughts with a good performance.

“This month we’ll play eight games in 28 days, so the whole squad is going to be needed during this period,” the manager told the Bristol Post.

“There’s opportunities for some players to play Tuesday that have trained well and deserve that opportunity. I also think it’s a competition where we’re keen to blood one or two of our youngsters as well. The way we train allows players to (take their opportunity). It ensures they’re fit and when they get their opportunity they take it.

“Several players did that on Saturday because of the way they trained and prepared. They were able to take their opportunity.

“Hopefully the same (will happen) with one or two getting their chance at Oxford. We’re very hopeful they will do the same and give us more selection headaches.”

Oxford go into the game after a last-minute postponement of Saturday’s League One game with Crewe Alexandra following a positive Covid-19 test in the opposition squad.