Paul Heffernan is relishing the chance to make his Bristol Rovers debut against Walsall tonight – and hopes he can quickly win over the fans.

The 28-year-old Doncaster Rovers striker is joining the Pirates on loan – initially for a month but with a view to extending the deal for the rest of the season.

And Rovers' director of football Lennie Lawrence has not ruled out making the former Bristol City marksman's stay a permanent one in the summer. Heffernan's arrival will bolster a side who have failed to score in their last two games – and Lawrence said he was hopeful there could yet be another forward on board before they line up against the Saddlers for the second time in four days at the Memorial Stadium.

Heffernan said: "I discussed the deal at the back end of last week and I am delighted now that I am here. Initially it is a month and we will see how it goes from there.

"I had a year down here with Bristol City about five or six seasons ago, but I hope the fans wont hold it against me if I can stick one in tonight.

"I have been with Doncaster five years, but I am out of contract in the summer, so it may be time to move on.

"I think I have plenty to offer Bristol Rovers. I have been sitting on the bench up at Doncaster for most of the season, so I want to get out and prove that I can still score goals because you are soon forgotten about in this game.

"I want to be playing every week – the Doncaster manager knows that and he was good enough to let me out. If it goes well for the club and for myself, there is always an option to extend it for another month or for the rest of the season so we will see how it goes."

Director of football Lennie Lawrence hopes Heffernan's arrival could be followed by the addition of a second new face.

"There is still a possibility of getting a second one in," said Lawrence.

"Hopefully it will help us to get back on the winning trail – and that's no disrespect to Jo Kuffour and Andy Williams, who worked very hard on Saturday.

"With Chris Lines missing through injury, we need another goal threat and Paul can add to it. He knows his position, knows his game and we are pleased to have signed him.

"We have to bring people in who are different or better than what we have already got, and his pedigree suggests he will be of assistance to us.

"The deal is only for a month to start with, but we don't normally loan players unless there's a chance of extending the deal to its maximum or making it permanent. In Paul's case, there is a possibility of a permanent move in the summer and I prefer that to having a loan player just for the sake of it.

Dubliner Heffernan, aged 28, started his career with Irish club Newtown before joining Notts County. He made 100 appearances for the Meadow Lane club before a £150,000 move to Ashton Gate in 2004.

But he found first-team chances limited by the form of Leroy Lita and Steve Brooker and joined Doncaster for £125,000 a year later – scoring for the Yorkshire club as they beat the Pirates 3-2 in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy final at the Millennium Stadium in 2007.

Although he has made 122 league outings for Doncaster, scoring 35 goals, nine of his 12 outings this term have been from the bench and he had a four-game loan stint at Oldham earlier this season.

Rovers have been trying to bolster their forward options for weeks – but ironically they find themselves stretched at the back for tonight's game.

Boss Paul Trollope said: "The three who were missing on Saturday – Danny Coles, Aaron Lescott and Chris Lines – are very, very doubtful and we picked up a few fresh injuries at Walsall on Saturday, which is not what we want.

"Carl Regan suffered a dead leg with about 10 minutes to go but soldiered on because he wanted to complete the game for us, although it made the bleeding worse. He is 50-50.

"Jeff Hughes has a tight groin and didn't train yesterday, but we will assess him before the game as well.

"If we do have players ruled out by injury, it could be a chance for one or two of the younger ones.

"We have a decent group of young players and if one or two have to step up to the plate, they need to take the opportunity."