Cardiff City v BRFC - League Cup - 1st Round - Match Thread

Bristol Rovers team news ahead of Cardiff City in the League Cup first round Tonight..By Daniel Hargraves

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Michael Forbes celebrates Bristol Rovers' winner against Northampton with Bryant Bilongo

Matt Taylor has admitted that it's likely there will be wholesale changes when Bristol Rovers face Championship side Cardiff City in the League Cup tonight with some players still not fully fit on the back of the Gas' 1-0 win over Northampton Town on Saturday.

It was the first time since 2011 that Rovers have begun a season with victory thanks to Bryant Bilongo's 92nd minute header but the quick turnaround between fixtures means that there are individuals who currently aren't at a high enough capacity to start two matches within the space of four days, with Promise Omochere and Grant Ward at the forefront of that.

However, with no long-term injury issues within the squad as things stand, Taylor does have a near-fully fit squad to pick from with competition strong in a number of positions, meaning that rotation doesn't neccessarily mean Rovers will be significantly weakened.

"I've not checked," the Gas boss said on Saturday when asked about any fresh injury concerns. "Physically, Wardy and Promise probably had 10 minutes too long, Promise especially. The issue we have is can they back it up on Tuesday? I don't think they can. So there'll be a wholesale amount of changes on Tuesday and I'm sure Cardiff will do the same.

"That's not to diminish the competition or weaken us in any way but it's needs must. Whatever team we put out there has to be an energetic one. You could see first game with the adrenaline wearing off at some stage, that will kick in and they'll be on their feet for the next couple of days."

Jamie Lindsay, Luke McCormick, Michael Forbes and Joel Senior were the substitutes used on Saturday and all four made an impact, putting them in contention for starts on Tuesday night.

"We've affected it from the bench as well," Taylor added. "So Jamie, Macca, Michael all affected the game in a really positive sense, and Joel as well. So I think we've shown in the last couple of pre-season games that there was almost a flip of two 11s, both as strong as each other. So I'm looking forward to Tuesday.

"It will be a difficult night. They're a fantastic Championship team. We saw that a week ago but we're going to go there with a freshness and whatever team I put out on the pitch, I want them to look like Bristol Rovers."

Predicted Bristol Rovers XI (3-5-2): Josh Griffiths; Taylor Moore, Connor Taylor, Michael Forbes; Luke Thomas, Jamie Lindsay, Kamil Conteh, Isaac Hutchinson, Bryant Bilongo; Luke McCormick, Scott Sinclair

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Connor Taylor warming up ahead of Bristol Rovers' game against Northampton Town

Two fantastic Bluebird strikes beat us in the friendly.

Cardiff City will make changes from their EFL start.

We have a chance of winning.

Almost 8 years to the day when a last gasp wonder strike from Linesy saw Rovers beat Cardiff and put us through to play chelski in the next round.
I remember bouncing around the Balcony Bar in St Ives in front of some slightly bemused holiday makers.

It looks unlikely that will Jevani Brown be in the starting line up tonight and if he doesn't even make the substitutes bench it would suggest he will be else where by the end of August.

I would start with Billy Bilongo in the number 10 role if we are going into this fixture with a make shift forward line.

Has'nt MT said there will be selection changes.

Radio Bristol for me.I still enjoy it.

I would like to see Sotiriou play. When I was Leyton Orient Manager, he was a very pacy and skilful left side forward, and fairly consistent in front of goal

i’m thinking, maybe the new Jamie Cureton for us. 

Lindsay?