Gas players last chance to impress boss Coughlan

BRISTOL Rovers make the trip to Home Park today to play Plymouth Argyle.

It is the Gas’ last pre-season game - and here is how they might line up for the game.

It is a choice between Anssi Jaakkola and Jordi van Stappershoef between the sticks. Manger Graham Coughlan has tended to alternate between his two senior goalkeepers in pre-season and today is likely to be no different.

Dutchman van Stappershoef was in goal in this week’s 3-0 defeat to Swansea City and probably will feel he could have done more with the goals that were conceded.

However, Jaakkola has probably not done enough to nail down the number one spot for the trip to Blackpool just yet, so will no doubt be looking to impress at Home Park.

There are question marks over Mark Little’s fitness after he went off injured against Birmingham City last weekend and sat out the defeat to Swansea City.

Coughlan says it is a minor injury - but it could well be the case that Rovers opt not to risk Little and make sure he’s definitely fit enough for Blackpool. If that’s the case, it’s likely Josh Hare will be at right-back.

Like Little, there are also doubts over Tom Davies’ fitness. Again, it will be interesting to see if he is risked. Tony Craig will likely start, and, if Davies does not make it, then Alfie Kilgour could be given the nod.

Left-back will likely be Luke Leahy, who Coughlan appears to prefer to Michael Kelly.

After impressing against Swansea City, will Lucas Tomlinson be given another opportunity?

Rovers’ central midfield is one of the areas of the squad that has real strength in depth, so it is difficult to see Tomlinson starting against Blackpool, but another good performance may give Coughlan some food for thought.

Ollie Clarke missed the game against Swansea through injury and, like Little and Davies, it might not be worth risking his fitness.

Coughlan may opt to play Liam Sercombe in a similar role to the Rovers captain to try and coax the him back to form after a mediocre season on the wing last year. If so, then it is easy to see Abu Ogogo and Ed Upson playing holding midfield roles in order to give Sercombe some freedom.

This is the last opportunity for Jonson Clarke-Harris to get some game time ahead of the new season, with Rovers’ star striker having missed pre-season matches through injury.

If he does not play, then Tyler Smith who played well against Birmingham City, could get another chance to impress, or Coughlan could opt to see how Gavin Reilly and Tom Nichols can lead a line.

Alex Rodman pretty much has the right wing spot nailed down, but there are big question marks over the left wing. Swindon Town boss Richie Wellens looks set to bid for Kyle Bennett, who is pretty much Rovers’ only out-and-out left winger. So if Bennett is left out at Home Park, then it could be an indicator of an impending return to Swindon where he spent part of last season on loan.