Bristol Rovers injury crisis worsens as summer signing joins absentee list
Joey Barton confirms James Wilson absense ahead of Wigan clash as Bristol Rovers defensive injury crisis is born.
Bristol Rovers boss Joey Barton has confirmed that defender James Wilson has picked up an injury in training this week.
Wilson came off at half-time in the Gas’ defeat at home to West Ham U21s in the EFL Trophy on Thursday which left many Rovers fans concerned about the centre back’s fitness.
“I know a few people are thinking he had picked up something in the game on Tuesday night”, said Barton to BBC Radio Bristol.
“He absolutely didn’t, it was just 45 minutes for him and Connor (Taylor) and right at the back end of Thursday’s training there was a clash of knees or ankles and he tweeked his ankle ligaments.
“Thankfully we had him x-rayed and there is no break and it looks like he’s going to miss at least a month if not a little bit longer.”
The news surfaces after manager Barton announced fresh injuries to both George Friend and Tristan Crama in the past week.
Friend was taken off after only seven minutes in Rovers’ victory over Shrewsbury Town last Saturday, while Crama has returned to his original club Brentford to begin recovery on an injury sustained in training.
“It’s disappointing, but we’ve built some depth in the squad,” Barton remarked.
“It was really strong last week, and this week we’ve lost George Friend, Tristan Crama, and obviously Wilson, so it’s a bit of a blow, which is why you build a bigger squad, to absorb these tough moments.”
