Bromley goalkeeper Cousins to miss FA Cup first-round replay with Bristol Rovers

Posted Monday, November 18, 2019 by PA

Bromley manager Neil Smith is again without Mark Cousins and Jake Goodman but otherwise has virtually a full-strength squad to choose from as the Ravens chase an FA Cup upset.

Experienced goalkeeper Cousins has been sidelined since September with a shoulder injury while defender Goodman has not played this season due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Neither will be involved in Tuesday’s first-round replay against League One Bristol Rovers but the majority of Smith’s players are set to report with a clean bill of health.

Luke Coulson could be restored to the starting line-up after coming off the bench at half-time against Harrogate on Saturday and helping the National League high-flyers, who trailed 3-0 after 41 minutes, claim a 3-3 draw.

Bristol Rovers boss Graham Coughlan admits his team selection will be influenced by the fact the game will be played on an artificial pitch at Hayes Lane.

Coughlan said there are “one or two” of his squad who will not be able to play on the surface for medical or personal reasons, although he did not reveal who they were.

The likes of Jonson Clarke-Harris, Ollie Clarke, Tareiq Holmes-Dennis have only recently returned from injury lay-offs and may not be risked, while centre-back Tom Davies has not featured since last month due to a knee problem.

Josh Hare and Sam Matthews are long-term injury absentees for the Pirates.