Bristol Rovers could be without left-back Aaron Lescott for up to a month.

But the club are confident that the niggling groin problem which has dogged the defender for the past couple of months can be cured by rest rather than surgery.

The 30-year-old Brummie, who is closing in on his 200th league appearance for the Pirates, has been a regular in the side for several seasons but has been battling through the pain barrier in recent weeks.

He was hobbling badly after the game at MK Dons nine days ago and it was after that the decision was made to take him out of action – for his own long-term good.

"Aaron has a niggling, persistent groin injury that needs to be rested so it doesn't cause any longer-term issues," said manager Paul Trollope.

"At the moment we are looking at him being out for weeks rather than just a week or two.

"Whether it runs into a month, time will tell – but I would doubt if we will see him involved in the forthcoming home league games against Carlisle and Gillingham.

"It's disappointing, but we have been assured that this is a measure we need to take or we could risk losing him to another injury around the same area, which sometimes happens.

"Credit has to go to Aaron, because he's been playing despite being only 90 to 75 per cent fit for the best part of the last two months.

"He has become a vital member of the team and the squad and has been for a number of years.

"But it was gradually getting worse and in the end it became almost unbearable. We are hoping once he has had this break and it has settled down, we will get the rest of the season out of him and he'll be fully fit."

Bristol Rovers are thankful that Lescott will not need an operation, which could have signalled an even longer spell on the sidelines.

"He has seen the specialist and there is no surgery required on it – it just needs rest and recovery," said Trollope.

"When he is a couple of weeks into that, then hopefully he can do some strengthening work."

Rovers are also optimistic that central defender Danny Coles can ease himself back into training in the next few days after another knee scare.

The 28-year-old has missed the last three games after tweaking his knee near the end of last month's home defeat by Yeovil Town.

"We are hoping Danny will be back in training this week," said Trollope.