Bristol Rovers vs Plymouth preview

Posted Tuesday, January 04, 2011 by skysports.com

Team news ahead of Tuesday night's League One clash between Bristol Rovers and Plymouth Argyle at the Memorial Stadium.

Bristol Rovers caretaker manager Darren Patterson could again be without striker John Akinde.

Akinde missed the 2-0 defeat to MK Dons on New Year's Day due to a slight groin strain but Patterson was able to call on Jo Kuffour, who had recovered from illness.

Kuffour will continue alongside Will Hoskins up front if Akinde fails to make it.

Patterson, whose side had not played for over three weeks before New Year's Day due to a series of postponements, has no new injury concerns.

Midfielder Jeff Hughes and striker Eliot Richards are both pushing for starting berths after stepping off the substitutes' bench at half-time at stadiummk.

The Pirates, chasing their first league win in 10 games, have slipped to within four points of the relegation zone.

Crisis-club Plymouth will hope to lift some of the gloom when they head to Bristol Rovers.

Argyle are facing financial difficulties off the field and manager Peter Reid has conceded he will have to sell his star names in the transfer window.

The Pilgrims began life without star man Craig Noone with a hard-earned 0-0 draw against Yeovil on Saturday and Reid was impressed with his replacement, youngster Joe Mason.

"Since I've been here, I've always thought Joe was a really good footballer," said Reid. "Hopefully, this little run (in the team) will bring his confidence out of him because some of the things he does are really good."

Mason, 19, is likely to retain his place in a three-pronged attack as Reid has no injury worries to contend with.

Therefore, Argyle could remain unchanged as they look to go five matches unbeaten.