Bristol Rovers are hoping to bolster their ranks with a loan signing ahead of tomorrow's clash with Gillingham at the Memorial Stadium.

The Pirates are understood to be targeting a versatile defender from another League One club who can operate either in central defence or at full-back.

And that could be timely given the fact the home side will be without both right- back Carl Regan through suspension and injured left-back Aaron Lescott this weekend.

"We have been actively looking in the loan market to try and strengthen the squad, and there is a possibility we could do that ahead of Saturday," said boss Paul Trollope, pictured left.

"Nothing is definite but we are in discussions with a few people."

Trollope is looking for his side to build on last weekend's 3-2 home win over Carlisle, a result which finally ended a run of six consecutive defeats.

That left Bristol Rovers eighth in League One and just two points adrift of the play-offs.

"It was a much needed win and to come from behind twice and win with the last kick of the game was fantastic," said Trollope.

"We are in a decent position and embedded in the top half of the table, which was the aim at the start of the season.

"Now we are looking forward to trying to push ourselves back towards the play-offs.

"There are a lot of big teams with big budgets at the top of the table, which is where you'd expect them to be. And there is a group of teams between halfway and the play-offs who will all have aspirations of making the top six. If we can be in or around it in January, it could be an interesting season.

"Things went our way earlier in the season, but then they went against us when we played some of the top teams in terms of missing chances and being punished for every mistake.

"The tide turned a little bit against Carlisle and we will continue to address the defensive issues that need working on until they are right. We feel we can create and score goals – and if we can get things right at the other end, we are a decent side."

Gillingham have yet to win away after returning to League One via the play-offs last term, but Trollope knows they can cause problems with highly-rated striker Simeon Jackson and on-loan Manchester United youngster Fabien Brandy among their threats.

"Gillingham did well to get out of League Two and they have recruited well. They have some energy and pace that can cause you problems and have picked up some good results at home," said Trollope.

"We will be trying to exploit one or two weaknesses and do the things we need to do to win games. We will be looking to send everyone home happy again."