Bristol Rovers rocked by Cian Bolger injury blow
BRISTOL Rovers boss Mark McGhee may have to fast-track Garry Kenneth back into action after yesterday finding out that he will be without Cian Bolger, pictured, for at least three months.
McGhee admitted concerns over the former Dundee United defender's fitness earlier this week and pledged to put him on an intensive exercise programme in a bid to get the player back to somewhere near his best.
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Cian Bolger
The manager believes it may well be Christmas before Kenneth is totally on top of his game – but yesterday confirmed he has recovered from the calf strain that has prevented him from playing in Rovers' last four games and will be generally fit enough to be considered for selection when Rovers travel to Exeter on September 29.
McGhee has the option of dipping into the loan market should he need to – but indicated yesterday he is likely to stick with the players he has at his disposal and that Adam Virgo, who has played at right-back in the last two games, will play in the centre of defence at least until Kenneth is considered fit enough for a return.
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"Garry Kenneth is over his injury and needs to get fit and back into specific training specific as well as running," said McGhee.
"He isn't that far away, but I won't play him in any of our next three games as he's not quite ready, but I think he will be ready two weeks from Saturday.
"In the meantime, we will continue with Adam Virgo and Tom Parkes and make sure we work hard in front of them."
Bolger, who only arrived from Leicester City for a third loan spell on transfer deadline day, was carried off on a stretcher during Saturday's 2-2 draw with Aldershot – but McGhee was hopeful the knee injury would not prove to be a 'long-term problem' when asked about it afterwards.
The central defender, however, arrived for training on Monday with the aid of crutches and a scan has since confirmed Bolger has damaged his posterior cruciate ligament and will be out of action for at least three months of his six-month loan spell.
"I'm absolutely gutted for Cian," said McGhee. "The fact is I think he injured himself being as committed as we had asked him to be. He showed where his commitment lies, and it's a great shame for him to be out at this moment in time.
"The prognosis is he will be out for three months and we hope he will make a full recovery and be back playing by Christmas. He will go back to Leicester for his rehab and, hopefully, be back here before his loan period expires.
"He was going to be a really important player for us. We tried hard all summer to get him here and eventually managed to do that and, as everyone has seen, he has been absolutely brilliant in the short time he's been back with us."
Rovers have confirmed that ex-Bristol City fans' favourite Alan Walsh, pictured, has been appointed to replace Ken Oram as head of youth.
Walsh, who made over 300 appearances for City before undertaking a various positions on the coaching staff at Ashton Gate, will have responsibility for looking after the under-18s side with immediate effect.
Comments
by DawnNorth
Thursday, September 13 2012, 12:05AM
“You lot don't know half of what Shaun has to put up with. I mean Buckle was bad but at least he was awake most of the time. It's like Mary Celeste meets Titanic up at the Mem. I try to keep myself busy but there's only so much you can do with your hands tied behind your back.”
by dickpuller
Wednesday, September 12 2012, 11:08PM
“Tell me something if Mc fee has so many contacts in the game the main reason he got the job. what has that produced apart from fat overweight has beens ,wake up and smell the gas Higgs...”
by dickpuller
Wednesday, September 12 2012, 11:01PM
“The season is already finished.Yeovil town for me!”
by larryjay
Wednesday, September 12 2012, 9:54PM
“up the gas”
by GermanExile
Wednesday, September 12 2012, 7:21PM
“jceegas do you realy think you are better than Fleetwood ?look at the table. Where is i8city gone to ground as normal .The worst Rovers squad in recent years maybe local derby next year Forest green not quite good enough for promotion!”
by jceegas
Wednesday, September 12 2012, 6:56PM
“look on the brightside...gillingham and fleetwood next 2 games”
by Erinoidground
Wednesday, September 12 2012, 5:34PM
“It has to be said - we are a total shambles. Becoming a laughing stock for City fanS who can sense the stench of failure at the Mem isn't much fun. Not having much luck and the Bolger injury the latest blow, and I know the vast majority of fans have faith in MM to sort this out, but to me he shows absolutely no sign that he is able to. Oldfrank is spot on - the running of club at all levels is shambolic. From the bizarre off season transfer activity involving chronically unfit or homesick centre backs and the recruitment of callow and inept midfielders to the almost daily contradictory messages from the manager. If he is playing some sort of messaging game, the results on the pitch aren't speaking well for him. For someone who is supposed to have a plethora of contacts in football MM doesn't seem to be using them very well. Unless there is drastic change we will do well to stay up this season - looking at the squad objectively it is unquestionably one of the weakest in the division and MM has to be held responsible. Blaming Buckle won't do any good as we slide out of the League.”
by Severngas
Wednesday, September 12 2012, 4:48PM
“Not having much luck in that department this season are we.!!! Should have really sorted out as matter of urgency before season even started. We have been leaking goals for fun last few years. Really thought kenneth was the answer. Big strong bully of a centre back ,but why would you let your contract run out then turn up unfit and overweight when trying to get a new deal. Cant quite work that one out.”
by bluecamel
Wednesday, September 12 2012, 4:43PM
“So if a load defender comes in any thought's of a striker are totally out of the window ?
Were Doomed !!!”
by Oldfrank
Wednesday, September 12 2012, 4:17PM
“Higgs & McGhee are juggling the balls in the air and scrambling around desperately trying to keep them up there.
If they miss one I'm afraid the whole lot will come crashing down.”