Bristol Rovers boss wary of managerless Swindon

Paul Trollope is warning his Bristol Rovers side that the current managerial uncertainty at Swindon Town will make the Wiltshire club dangerous opponents when they visit the Memorial Stadium on Saturday.

The Pirates have already twice fallen victim to "new manager syndrome" this season.

During a miserable September, they went out of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy at Bournemouth on the day Jimmy Quinn took over at the Cherries – then lost at Cheltenham Town in Martin Allen's first game in charge at Whaddon Road.

A host of names have already been linked with the Swindon vacancy, including those of former Rovers bosses John Ward and Ian Holloway.

And Trollope knows the Robins' players will be trying to impress this weekend – whether a new manager is already installed or if it is for the benefit of potential candidates watching from the stand.

"I went to the County Ground on Saturday to watch Swindon play Leicester and rumours were rife with lots of names being linked," said Trollope.

"Ollie's was one of them along with Gus Poyet, Aidy Boothroyd and a lot of ex-Swindon players from their good times in the 1990s.

"I think they want someone in place sooner rather than later, and if it happens this week it's obviously going to be a factor when it comes to this Saturday's game.

"It's something we've had to deal with a few times recently.

"There is always uncertainty initially when a manager leaves, but the situation is something we are going to have to guard against."

Trollope hopes to have increased defensive options this weekend with Danny Coles and Joe Jacobson in contention for recalls after recovering from respective cartilage and rib injuries.

"Danny and Joe will continue to train this week. Steve Elliott did well against Scunthorpe on Friday considering he'd been out for so long, so another week's training will benefit him," said Trollope.

"Things on the injury front are looking up, although David Pipe is still probably a couple of weeks away."

Rovers will be looking to end a run of three consecutive defeats in Saturday's derby clash and Trollope added: "I still believe in the players and they still have belief in themselves. We have to maintain that and stay strong.

"We need to get a good week's training in, work on the things that need improving and look forward to another good home game."