Bristol R v Burton preview

Team news for Saturday's League Two clash between Bristol Rovers and Burton Albion at the Memorial Stadium.

Bristol Rovers boss John Ward has received mixed news on the striker front. While Ryan Brunt looks likely to return after missing the last two games, Scottish striker David Clarkson will not play again this season as he needs an operation on an ankle problem. "David needs an operation and won't play again this season," Ward told the Bristol Evening Post. "His ankle is not right so we really have to look at that. "It is a shame because David is a senior member of the squad and an important player for us, but he just can't get that ankle right." Clarkson's place in the squad looks likely to be taken by former Sunderland striker Oumare Tounkara who signed a short-term deal with the club on Thursday. The Pirates announced earlier this week that Seanan Clucas is out for the season with a knee injury, while winger Fabian Broghammer is also a doubt due to an on-going hamstring problem. But defender Clayton McDonald returns after missing Tuesday night's defeat at Northampton to be present at the birth of his child. Burton will check on Jacques Maghoma. Maghoma was substituted due to injury after just over an hour of the 3-2 home win over Morecambe on Tuesday night and the winger is a doubt ahead of the weekend, meaning manager Gary Rowett may have to change his starting line-up for the first time in four games. "He's obviously hurt himself and I would assume that makes him a doubt for Saturday's match," said Rowett, who admitted he considered making changes for the Shrimps match in midweek. "I was a little bit concerned because I thought I needed to change it and maybe put two or three fresh bodies in, but it's difficult when you're winning and have been in such great form. "It's unfair on the lads in the side, too, so I decided to go with the same team." Should Rowett opt to freshen things up against Rovers he has plenty of options. Striker Calvin Zola and skipper Zander Diamond, available again on Saturday after serving a four-match suspension, are itching to get back into the team while defender Andrew Corbett, midfielders Jimmy Phillips, Jack Dyer and Adam Drury and striker Matthew Paterson have all had to settle for places on the bench recently.