Byron Anthony is likely to miss Bristol Rovers' trip to Exeter City on Wednesday – although x-rays have confirmed he has not broken his leg.

The defender, who has impressed since a recent switch to right-back, was taken off on a stretcher shortly before the interval in Saturday's 0-0 draw against Tranmere after being caught by a challenge by former Bristol City striker Bas Savage. Rovers feared the Welshman could have fractured his fibula but hospital checks revealed he sustained only severe bruising.

But that will still make him a major doubt for the clash at St James' Park and the Pirates will now be hoping Carl Reagan recovers from injury in time for the trip to Devon.

He missed the weekend clash against the Merseysiders with tendinitis of the knee.

Boss Paul Trollope acknowledged that Rovers' next two games – at Exeter and then Yeovil Town next Saturday – are now big ones for his side following their failure to break down Tranmere, despite heavy second-half pressure. The result left the Pirates 11 points adrift of the top six.

"The next two games are crucial. Millwall and Swindon both picked up good wins on Saturday so they have gone two further points ahead," said Trollope.

"But we were pleased to get back to winning ways at Swindon – our first win on the road for a long time – and we will be looking to build on that.

"We go to Exeter with confidence, but we need to look at being better in the final third.

"The two games are local-ish and hopefully we will take quite a few fans down. Having it on the Wednesday gives us a little bit more rest and recovery time."

Trollope admitted their was an air of frustration after failing to beat a Tranmere side who are battling to stave off the threat of relegation.

"It was an opportunity missed but it was a good clean sheet, the third on the spin, which is always pleasing," he said.

"It keeps us boiling, it keeps the little run going and we look forward now to two away games. I think both those opponents will come at us a little more, and hopefully there will be a few more spaces to exploit.

"We were a little bit slow out of the blocks against Tranmere, but we gradually grew into the first half. We were totally dominant in the second half, but we could not unlock the door.

"They defended well, showed a good spirit and good defensive mentality that made it difficult for us. We need to be better in and around the box when teams do that and look at strategies on how to break them down."

Rovers are still looking at bolstering their strike options before the loan deadline expires at the end of this month – but it is understood their hopes of landing West Brom marksman Chris Wood now appear to be fading and they may have to look elsewhere.

"We are still on the look out and still in talks," said Trollope. "We will probably have to go with what we have got in the next two games and then we will see where we are leading into the deadline."