Bristol Rovers will be missing both their first-choice full-backs for Saturday's home clash with Gillingham.

The Pirates are already expected to be without left-back Aaron Lescott for at least another fortnight because of a groin injury.

And boss Paul Trollope faces another reshuffle this weekend with right-back Carl Regan serving a one-match ban after picking up his fifth caution of the season in Saturday's 3-2 victory over Carlisle.

Though Jeff Hughes has done well at left-back in Lescott's absence, Rovers are short of cover on the right and may look to switch one of their centre-backs to the role – with Byron Anthony seen as the likeliest contender.

But whatever decision Trollope makes, striker Jo Kuffour believes even the players at the front have a responsibility to help stem the flow of goals after conceding 22 in their last eight outings.

"Goals aren't just down to the defenders, and me, Chris Dickson and Darryl Duffy have all been working hard in training on trying to close down from the front and set a tempo for the rest of the team," said Kuffour.

"We are working harder from the front to stop teams scoring from open play – and now we have to eradicate mistakes from set-pieces.

"There are still issues that need to be sorted out and that's what we've been working on this week."

Kuffour had not netted during Bristol Rovers' recent six-game losing run but ended that mini-drought with their first goal against Carlisle.

He added: "The win was long overdue. It was nice to get back on track. I'd not really been getting too many chances in the previous games, but it was good to tuck one away – and now hopefully I can keep it going."

Rovers returned to a 4-4-2 formation against Carlisle after Kuffour had been employed as a lone front-runner in previous games.

He said: "When you are playing up front on your own, it's a totally different game.

"I was asked to stay high up the pitch, which meant I wasn't always able to put defenders under pressure the way I normally would. But we went with two up front against Carlisle and I think it worked well."

Kuffour knows Gillingham will offer a goals threat this weekend in the shape of Simeon Jackson, who has 11 this season, and on-loan Manchester United marksman Febian Brandy.

He added: "They are good players although, like me, they are quite small, so I don't know whether they can play together. My old friend Josh Gowling, who was with me at Bournemouth, is there too – so it would be nice to put one in against him!"