Bristol Rovers boss Paul Trollope looks likely to be without two key players when his side bids to bounce back from their Norwich humiliation when they play at Southend tomorrow.

Trollope labelled loan pair Mikkel Andersen and Chris Dickson as 'doubtful' when asked about their fitness yesterday after both players sustained injuries earlier in the week.

Goalkeeper Andersen, who has impressed between the posts since arriving from Reading last month, reported for training yesterday with a dead leg suffered on international duty with the Denmark Under-21 squad.

Striker Dickson, who has scored three goals in four games since sealing a temporary move from Charlton Athletic, tweaked knee ligaments at the end of a training session on Monday.

Both players were having intensive treatment on their complaints yesterday and will travel to Southend with the squad later today, but Trollope admitted: "We are hoping both of them will be fit but I have to say there is a chance that neither of them might be.

"Mikkel came back with a dead leg and has not trained since Monday. He is still very sore and is a doubt, so we will have to assess his fitness carefully.

"Chris tweaked his knee on Monday and has not trained since and we are going to look at him again after we train at Watford on Friday."

Trollope has options at his disposal should Dickson fail to win his fitness battle – with Darryl Duffy and Andy Williams challenging to partner Jo Kuffour up front should the shirt become available.

The Bristol Rovers boss could also opt to try Dominic Blizzard in an advanced midfield role – a tactic deployed at Hereford United in the Johstone's Paint Trophy earlier this season.

"I think we have had a settled starting line-up over recent weeks and whether Mikkel and Chris are fit or not there are players on the bench who are performing well in training," said Trollope. "They have all shown an excellent attitude and have been waiting patiently for a chance to arise and that may come on Saturday."

Rhys Evans will step in should Andersen fail to make it after the number two goalkeeper produced an impressive performance in the reserve-team friendly against Cardiff on Monday.

"Rhys has not let us down when he has had a chance to play in the side," Trollope said. "He is good competition to come in and do a job for us."

The Pirates are back in action for the first time since suffering their heavy defeat at Carrow Road almost a fortnight ago.

They have the prospect of back-to-back home games against West Country rivals Yeovil Town and top-of-the table Leeds United to follow and Trollope added: "Southend will be the third away game on the bounce and to get six points from a possible nine would set us up nicely for a couple of home games to come.

"We have won four games on the road already this season, so we have a good away record and we can't forget that. It will be a challenge for us but the players have looked sharp in training and we go to Southend in a good mood. We are pleased with how things have been going but we cannot rest on our laurels."