Bristol Rovers prefer Forster to Phillips for opener against Leyton Orient
Bristol Rovers are set to hand new goalkeeper Fraser Forster his first league outing for the club in tomorrow's opener against Leyton Orient at the Memorial Stadium.
But the Pirates will be without central defender Steve Elliott, who will spend at least a week on the sidelines after injuring his thigh.
Forster – the 6ft 6ins 21-year-old signed on an initial month-long loan from Newcastle United – donned the gloves for Rovers' 4-3 win over a Liverpool XI in their final first-team friendly on Tuesday.
And the youngster, brought in to provide serious competition for long-term first-choice keeper Steve Phillips, looks certain to retain his spot against the O's.
Elliott misses the curtain raiser after picking up an injury in training at the Memorial Stadium last Sunday when he landed heavily on one knee.
Coach Paul Trollope said: "Steve had a scan which has shown he has strained his thigh in a couple of areas, but we are hoping he won't be out too long – maybe up to two weeks from the date of the injury.
"He will miss the first couple of matches but we hope he might be available for either the Stockport or Hartlepool games."
Elliott's absence is likely to hand Danny Coles and Byron Anthony the chance to continue their central defensive partnership. Coles – who has not played a league game since last October because of injury – stood out during the Liverpool game, while Anthony scored twice.
"Danny and Byron were both major pluses against Liverpool," said Trollope. "Danny not only came through his first 90 minutes but played very well, and Byron's form was good as well."
Carl Regan, another summer signing, will start at right-back. But midfielder Dominic Blizzard, who missed some of the build up through illness, is expected to begin on the bench with teams able to use three from seven substitutes this season.
"Dominic got some action against Liverpool and played another 45 minutes the following night against Llanelli," said Trollope.
"He is suffering a little bit of stiffness but nothing more and we will now make a decision whether he will have a role from the bench or start on Saturday. His fitness is getting better all the time.
"Having seven substitutes gives you more options and the opportunity to always have a keeper on the bench, when sometimes in the past we have gambled by going without one. It also means an opportunity for the young players to be involved, which will help their development."
Rovers go into the game having lost only one of their five pre-season friendlies – a 3-0 reverse to Championship side Crystal Palace – and will be looking to make a winning start against an Orient side they beat 2-1 in both of last season's meetings.
The O's are managed by former Rovers favourite Geraint Williams and Trollope added: "Geraint is an experienced manager and a good one – he did a good job there last year and got them away from the relegation zone and into mid-table.
"They are going to be well organised, have some threats in wide areas and two strikers in James Scowcroft and Scott McGleish who know where the net is.
"We are pleased to be at home so we can start in front of our own fans. We have to be respectful of Orient and won't take anything for granted, but we feel that if we produce the football we are capable of, we can get a win.
"It's going to be a strong division this season, but we tweaked our pre-season preparations this year to try and get a good start and we have been pleased with the way things have gone for us."
Rovers are expecting a good crowd but fans travelling to the game are warned that part of Filton Avenue is closed to southbound traffic because of roadworks.
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by BIG D stood behind Little AL, Qing for pastys at the Mem.
Saturday, August 08 2009, 1:28PM
“We are rubbish. Just getting in my moan b4 the game 2day as I cant see us getting anything without Stevie as our goalie.”
by David, Bristol
Friday, August 07 2009, 10:56PM
“Who said I was a City fan, Andy of Bristol? And maybe Orient did lose to Havant & Waterlooville, but 6-1 v Newcastle more than balances the books up in my view. Fact is Chris Swift writes the same prediction pretty much every game through the season. He tips a Rovers win most of the time. Tomorrow, it just happens to be Orient. He'll say the same thing when Leeds, Norwich & Co come to the Mem. It just gets a bit monotonous and predictable, that's all.”
by Andy, Bristol
Friday, August 07 2009, 10:44PM
“City fan David, I think most Rovers fans expect Rovers to beat Orient at home tomorrow. Chris Swift is no different. Orient may have beaten Newcastle but they also lost against Havant & Waterlooville....I would say that is fairly indifferent wouldn't you.”
by David, Bristol
Friday, August 07 2009, 9:57PM
“One thing none of you have noticed is Chris Swift's Friday prediction. He usually tips the Rovers to win anyway (maybe 90% of the time) regardless of whoever they're playing and whatever the form book suggests. This time, he says Rovers will win win because Orient "have had some indifferent pre-season results". Yes, like 6-1 v Newcastle, that's REALLY indifferent!! But if he took the time and trouble to then read HIS OWN ARTICLE about tomorrow's game, new Rovers keeper Fraser Forster, who played in the 2nd half for Newcastle in that debacle, admitted he'd learned enough about Orient in that game "to know that Rovers will face a testing opener this weekend". Take the blue & white blinkers off, Mr Swift. Just one week without predicting yet another Gas win would make a nice change! At least whoever does the City prediction is usually more realistic about these things - their reporter's prediction for tomorrow is a defeat!”
by AJ, Bristol
Friday, August 07 2009, 8:52PM
“It is essential to have competition for every position. Steve Phillips cannot dictate to management and it may be a a tactical ploy to play Fraser. The correct way to take the decision is on the chin and try to prove the managements decision wrong. Steve's commitment to the club will now be really tested. Fraser should have inside information on Orient as they triumphed over Newcastle in a earlier friendly. Lets hope he shows the potential others have noticed and proves the "dubious" fans comments wrong! C'mon the Gas!”
by Warren, F/C
Friday, August 07 2009, 5:35PM
“I'm fed up with all this banter coming from the lot of you! Where has this rumour he is moving away from rovers come from? Just becuase FF is starting tomorrow, doesn't mean that he will be moving away! We only just got in a second goalkeeper, and shifted green to Gloucester, so why would we get rid of SP? Also, Steve Phillips is a more experienced, very good goal keeper, who needs to be kept at the club, the only reason he did not play brilliantly last season is because of an unsettled back 4. FF is a very good, young goal keeper with plenty of potential and can only get better, So stop making up rumours, stop putting them down and saying bad things about them and get behind your team and our goal keepers!”
by Peter, Bert, My Spitfire
Friday, August 07 2009, 4:18PM
“Steve from Bristol, fair enough you are standing by Phillips but cut the rubbish in regards to Forster, he has not even pulled on a rovers shirt in a pro game... yet you are calling him a poor keeper? This is despite being one of the most sought after young keepers in the country, England u21 prospect and Newcastle United number 2. If you are basing it on the Liverpool game, then I would say you do not have a clue. The lad had very little to do, caught everything and if I remember only hit one poor backpass in the match. All three goals would trouble any keeper. Get behind the lad, he needs us fans, its not his fault after all is it?”
by steve, bristol
Friday, August 07 2009, 2:28PM
“cant belive this is happening to sp it would not be so bad if ff was better than phillips hes a poor keeper imo come 4,45 tommorow
rovers will think twice about the goalkeeper and if i was sp id leave the club as you are being treated like sh-t by the club i used to love not anymore tho goodnight irene i”
by Little AL, In front of the gents toilet block, Blackthorn End
Friday, August 07 2009, 11:16AM
“We love you Stevie...Don't Go !.....And by the way Big D is really Swerve from Bedminster !”
by Trevor, Pill
Friday, August 07 2009, 11:11AM
“Bert: Amen to that but I fear for young Fraser and I predict a hounding every time he makes any sort of error. Up the Gas.”