Clarkson refuses to press the panic button at Rovers

David Clarkson believes there is no need to panic over the slow start to the campaign at Bristol Rovers.

Striker Clarkson has yet to score for his new club, while Rovers go into today's home League Two game with Aldershot still looking for their first goal at the Memorial Stadium this season.

A win would take Rovers above the 21st-placed Shots, who have lost three league games since a win over Plymouth on the opening day.

Clarkson said: "We've been unfortunate not to get on the scoresheet as much as we'd like or get the points we'd like, but we are only a few games into the season and I don't think there's any reason to panic and the boys have got to realise that.

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"It's a long season and I'm sure the goals will come and the results will come and, hopefully, it will start against Aldershot.

"I'm very keen to start scoring myself and I think all strikers are the same, but the most important thing is to play well and get three points."

Mark McGhee's side did show signs of improvement in Tuesday night's 3-0 reverse at the hands of League One high-fliers Yeovil in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.

Clarkson added: "The only thing we can do now is focus on the positives. We need to recognise what we did well in our last game and then try to put things right by winning the next time we go out."

Aldershot won 1-0 at the Memorial Stadium last season, but they arrive having experienced a mixed start to their campaign

Dean Holdsworth's side claimed a JP Trophy victory at Exeter on Tuesday night and Clarkson said: "Every team is going to come to Bristol Rovers prepared to give their all.

"That means we have to be up for that challenge ahead of every game. Morecambe came to us last week and set their stall out we're expecting Aldershot to do something similar.

"Teams do that away from home, we have to be patient in breaking them down, but an early goal would really help settle things down."

Clarkson, meanwhile, has revealed that he had dinner with former Bristol City defender Jamie McAllister on Wednesday night – 24 hours after the pair clashed in an off-the-ball incident during Rovers' 3-0 defeat at the hands of Yeovil at the Memorial Stadium on Tuesday.

McAllister, who is now plying his trade for Yeovil following his release from Ashton Gate over the summer, received his marching orders for his part in the 75th minute incident.

"I'm not sure what happened," Clarkson added. "Jamie said he wasn't sure why he'd done it – but me and him are best mates, so it was a bit unfortunate.

"We live up next to each other, so I'd brought him to the ground in the car.

"I didn't have any other choice but to take him back! That's football. It's one of those things that happens from time to time, but both families got together for dinner on Wednesday night, so it's all forgotten."

Rovers striker Matt Harrold has recovered from the slight knock to his Achilles and knee that kept him out of the Yeovil game. Eliot Richards is likely to start out wide.