Steve Elliott may have chalked up more than 200 league starts for Bristol Rovers, but he has found first-team opportunities comparatively rare this season.

So the central defender was delighted to have been part of a back line that kept a clean sheet when he made his return to the side at Walsall on Saturday.

The Pirates had conceded eight times in their previous two outings – five of them at Leyton Orient a week ago.

But apart from hitting the bar from a corner in the dying seconds, Walsall hardly had a sniff in front of goal during the 0-0 draw.

And if Elliott and his team-mates can deliver a similarly resilient display against the same opponents at the Memorial Stadium tonight, it will at least make some amends for the many hours he's spent watching from the dug-out this term.

"It's been disappointing for me and I've not been too pleased with sitting on the bench," said the 31-year-old.

"It's been difficult sitting things out, and I hadn't played since December 19.

"I was just glad to get out there again, get another game under my belt and help keep a clean sheet."

Rovers certainly looked a lot less porous in the Black Country than they had in that woeful display at Brisbane Road.

And although Elliott played no part in the humiliation in east London, he admitted the whole squad did some serious soul-searching after their heaviest defeat of the season.

"In some ways the result at Leyton Orient was a kick up the backside," said Elliott.

"You wonder whether you are doing the right things and try and change the things you find wrong.

"We did that as a squad and I thought on Saturday we put in a steely and resolute performance.

"We were tight as a unit, didn't give Walsall any space or room to play and restricted them to very few chances.

"That surface was probably the worst I've played on for a few years, but we still played some good football. Hopefully tonight, on our pitch, we can carve out a few chances."

Quite who will be lining up alongside Elliott tonight is anyone's guess, for Rovers have a clutch of injury worries at the back, with central defender Danny Coles and left-back Aaaron Lescott almost certain to be missing.

Coupled with fresh worries over right-back Carl Regan and Jeff Hughes – who filled in at left-back on Saturday – there is a possibility boss Paul Trollope may have to throw at least one youngster in.

"It's common knowledge that we don't have the biggest squad, so two or three injuries are going to stretch us," acknowledged Elliott.

"But the kids train with us and do well, so if they do get a chance I'm sure they'll be fine.

"Apart from the Wycombe game, our home form has been decent of late. Saturday was like starting again.

"Scoring goals is the most difficult part of the game and we couldn't do it on Saturday, despite creating a few chances. If one or two of them go in for us tonight, then hopefully it will be game over.

"There's four, five or six of you involved in trying to keep a clean sheet, but when it comes to scoring it's usually down to you and the opposition goalkeeper.

"Personally, I feel putting the ball in the back of the net is the hardest part of the game, but hopefully it's something we can do this evening."