Gatlin O'Donkor could face a spell on the sidelines for Bristol Rovers(Image: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK)

Bristol Rovers dealt concerning injury blow heading into international break after Swindon loss

Bristol Rovers could be without two of their strikers when they head to Huddersfield Town upon their return from the international break

by · BristolLive

Matt Taylor has admitted that there is concern for Gatlin O'Donkor who appeared to sustain a hamstring issue in Bristol Rovers' 4-0 defeat at Swindon Town on Tuesday night while there also seems to be an issue with Promise Omochere.

O'Donkor started Rovers' loss as one of nine changes made to the side that started the 3-1 win at Burton Albion in League One three days prior as a desperately poor first half performance saw the Gas concede four goals against a much-changed League Two outfit.

The striker went down and was treated midway through the first half before being brought off before half-time for Promise Omochere with the issue evidently persisting.

The Gas are now out of action until October 19 when they travel to Huddersfield Town in League One but it now appears as though the Oxford United loanee will be a doubt. Meanwhile, Omochere was brought back off in the second half as he also played with a gingerness, looking to be in some discomfort.

"Hamstring," Taylor declared when asked about O'Donkor's injury. "It's not a popped hamstring, but there's a certain tightness and a problem in there. So he'll have a scan and Promise, yeah, we're learning about Promise's body day in, day out. Three days post his exertions at Burton and he couldn't quite replicate it for long enough.

"His plan was only to be there a short amount of time, but even as soon as he went on, he didn't seem quite right. So, yeah, we'll learn a little bit more in terms of that.

"We'll have to assess them," the Rovers manager added. "Gats' is the bigger worry because I think there's a sort of problem there. That puts pressure on the front line, of course it does."


Bristol Rovers Live on Whatsapp

Join Bristol Rovers Live's Whatsapp community for all the biggest Bristol Rovers stories sent straight to your phone

Bristol Rovers Live is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join our community.

Through the app, we’ll send the Bristol Rovers news, live match coverage, team news, transfers, fixtures, analysis and more straight to your phone.

To join our community you need to already have WhatsApp. All you need to do is click this link and select ‘Join Community’.

No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Bristol Live team.

We also treat community members to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out at any time you like.

To leave our community, click on the name at the top of your screen and choose ‘Exit group’.

If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

Click here to join our WhatsApp community.


O'Donkor saw a shot saved in the first half but contributed very little else on a tough night for the team that started but has shown promise from the bench in recent weeks.

The 19-year-old earned himself a start against Wycombe after scoring and getting an assist from the bench against Peterborough in one of the best individual displays from a forward so far this season. Additionally, he bagged another assist last weekend when setting up Grant Ward for the Gas' third goal against Burton.

Meanwhile, Omochere was dropped for that Wycombe game but his response has been impressive. The 23-year-old striker still has two goals to his name, both scored against Cambridge United at the end of August, but picked up two assists in the 3-2 win over Charlton and was a major presence at the top end of the pitch in the second half at Burton.

If both are unavailable for the Huddersfield game, it'll mean that Ruel Sotiriou and Shaq Forde will be Rovers' only available recognised strikers with Chris Martin still set to be absent until November at the very earliest.