Baker remains on sidelines for Bristol Rovers

Posted Friday, December 27, 2019 by PA

Bristol City’s clash with Luton on Sunday may come too soon for Nathan Baker to make his return to the side.

Baker has been absent from Lee Johnson’s past two matchday squads, with the manager revealing the defender is carrying an injury from which he is scheduled to recover fully in the coming days.

Marley Watkins returned to training ahead of the Boxing Day defeat to Charlton and could be in contention, while Kasey Palmer will be pushing for a place in the 18 after being left out completely at The Valley.

Sammie Szmodics will miss out with a knee ligament injury.

Luton boss Graeme Jones spoke glowingly of his side’s efforts as they were denied victory at Fulham on Boxing Day, drawing 3-3 after Bobby Decordova-Reid’s stoppage-time leveller for the Cottagers.

With that in mind, the Hatters boss may favour continuity over rotation, although some fresh legs may be required.

Jones described Kazenga LuaLua as having “gone physically” when he was replaced after 75 minutes against Fulham.

Goalkeeper James Shea has missed the past two matches after suffering concussion, so Simon Sluga – who started both fixtures – will hope to continue in the starting XI, while Izzy Brown (hamstring) and Brendan Galloway (patella) are out until the new year.