Bristol Rovers are hopeful that Danny Coles' knee injury is not as severe as first feared.

The central defender missed the 4-0 midweek mauling by Leeds and is also ruled out of tomorrow's trip to MK Dons after suffering the injury late in last weekend's game against Yeovil.

Coles missed most of last season after a double dose of knee surgery and went through a lengthy rehabilitation programme, which included a spell with a top specialist in America last summer.

But manager Paul Trollope said he had been encouraged by the initial analysis of a scan on his latest problem.

"We've received the consultant's report on the scan and there doesn't seem to be anything major wrong with his knee – although there are a few issues from previous injuries," he said.

"We are going to send him to a consultant in London he has seen before to get a second opinion, but the signs are good and it doesn't seem too severe.

"Most footballers have some wear and tear in the joint and Danny has that, but at this stage it doesn't look too serious and hopefully the consultant will confirm that.

"His knee has settled down a bit, which is a good sign. It's too early to say when he will be back and we will wait and see what the consultant says before deciding what to do."