Bristol Rovers' Byron Anthony relishing return to starting line-up

BYRON Anthony is relishing the prospect of a return to Bristol Rovers' starting line-up at Huddersfield Town on Saturday.

The centre-back, sent off late in the 3-1 defeat against Walsall last month, served a one-match ban and was then unable to regain his place in the side for the next four matches.

But after replacing the injured Danny Coles from the bench during last weekend's 2-1 home win over Leyton Orient, Anthony is in line to hang on to the shirt for the clash at the Galpharm Stadium.

"I thought I did quite well when I came off the bench on Saturday so hopefully I can carry that on," said Anthony.

"My sending off against Walsall was for a mistimed tackle and one of those things that happens in football. It's not nice to be sent off, but I've put it behind me now."

Anthony is set to partner Craig Hinton against the Terriers – another player who has made a good impression since replacing the injured Steve Elliott.

"I made my debut against Grimsby alongside Hints and we've played a few games together," said Anthony.

The former Cardiff City defender is the only one of Rovers' centre-backs still waiting for a goal this season and hopes to follow the example Hinton set last weekend by finding the net.

"It would be nice to chip in with a goal – especially because Craig scored last Saturday. It will be a while until we hear the last about it!" he said.

"Stuart Campbell puts in some great deliveries so there is always a chance one of the central defenders will get on the end of them. In the modern game, set pieces are really important and there are and so many teams who work off them, including sides at the top."

Anthony knows his priority will be his defensive work, and hopes to help maintain a run which has seen the Pirates concede only once in their last three outings.

"We knew we had to tighten up and stop leaking goals and we've done that in the last three matches," he said.

"We had a bit of a kick in the teeth when we kept losing games but we've come on since then. There's more confidence in the dressing room now we've won a couple of games and kept a few clean sheets."

Coach Paul Trollope believes Anthony can grasp his opportunity and said: "Byron has been a bit frustrated not to have been playing but he has a great attitude.

"He knows this is a chance for him and I'm sure he'll take it, the same way Craig Hinton did when Steve Elliott went out injured.

"Those two finished with the shirts on Saturday and, barring a minor miracle, they will have them again at Huddersfield."