Post by Bristol Rovers on Nov 5, 2014 10:56:25 GMT
Bristol Rovers boss Darrell Clarke has pledged to offer Ryan Brunt an opportunity to force his way back into his thoughts as the striker prepares to return from a loan spell at York City.
Brunt, who fell out of favour following the arrival of on-loan Cambridge United striker Adam Cunnington in August, is scheduled to return to Rovers' Cribbs Causeway training base tomorrow for the first time since he made a temporary move to Bootham Crescent last month.
The striker proved his fitness by playing five times and making one appearance from the bench for York, but the appointment of manager Russ Wilcox to replace Nigel Worthington and the arrival of Deon Burton rendered Brunt's services surplus to requirements after York claimed a 1-0 victory over Cheltenham Town on Saturday.
"I think the loan spell will have done Ryan the world of good," said Clarke. "He has played games and has some minutes under his belt, so he comes back into contention that is for sure.
"He will get the chance to fight for a place in the team like everybody else, and then it will be up to him to take an opportunity when it comes along."
Rovers, meanwhile, have lost their appeal to get the red card Andy Monkhouse was shown at AFC Telford United overturned.
Monkhouse was sent off in the 87th minute for use of the elbow, which was considered violent conduct by referee Ryan Johnson, after contesting a high ball with Telford midfielder Mike Grogan at the new Bucks Head Stadium on Saturday.
The Vanarama Conference disciplinary panel, however, did not sympathise with Rovers' view on the challenge and Monkhosue will now miss the next three games.
Clarke said: "I'm disappointed because I looked at the incident and there was no intention there whatsoever. Andy may have caught him with his arm, but both lads have gone up with their arms and I didn't agree with the referee's view that it was a case of violent conduct. Andy was looking at the ball the whole time and made a determined, but fair, challenge to win the ball.
"I thought we had a strong case to appeal, but we have to accept the outcome and move on."
Clarke, meanwhile, has had some positive developments on the injury front after Stuart Sinclair was deemed fit enough to join in with full training yesterday morning.
The midfielder has been absent from first-team action for almost a month with a knee ligament problem, but looks certain to be in contention for the trip to face Tranmere Rovers in the FA Cup on Saturday.
"Stuart is an important player for us, but I don't want to take any credit away from the boys who have played so well to help us get some decent results in his absence," said Clarke.
"Ollie Clarke scored a great goal for us on Saturday, another one against Telford earlier in the season and then a world-class strike at Eastleigh.
"They were three massive goals for us and I am pleased for him because there was nobody more distraught than Ollie about what happened at the back-end of last season."
Angelo Balanta is also scheduled to rejoin the main training group tomorrow. The full extent of the ankle injury Neal Trotman suffered at Telford is yet to be fully diagnosed, but the defender is considered highly doubtful to be in contention for the trip to Prenton Park.
Brunt, who fell out of favour following the arrival of on-loan Cambridge United striker Adam Cunnington in August, is scheduled to return to Rovers' Cribbs Causeway training base tomorrow for the first time since he made a temporary move to Bootham Crescent last month.
The striker proved his fitness by playing five times and making one appearance from the bench for York, but the appointment of manager Russ Wilcox to replace Nigel Worthington and the arrival of Deon Burton rendered Brunt's services surplus to requirements after York claimed a 1-0 victory over Cheltenham Town on Saturday.
"I think the loan spell will have done Ryan the world of good," said Clarke. "He has played games and has some minutes under his belt, so he comes back into contention that is for sure.
"He will get the chance to fight for a place in the team like everybody else, and then it will be up to him to take an opportunity when it comes along."
Rovers, meanwhile, have lost their appeal to get the red card Andy Monkhouse was shown at AFC Telford United overturned.
Monkhouse was sent off in the 87th minute for use of the elbow, which was considered violent conduct by referee Ryan Johnson, after contesting a high ball with Telford midfielder Mike Grogan at the new Bucks Head Stadium on Saturday.
The Vanarama Conference disciplinary panel, however, did not sympathise with Rovers' view on the challenge and Monkhosue will now miss the next three games.
Clarke said: "I'm disappointed because I looked at the incident and there was no intention there whatsoever. Andy may have caught him with his arm, but both lads have gone up with their arms and I didn't agree with the referee's view that it was a case of violent conduct. Andy was looking at the ball the whole time and made a determined, but fair, challenge to win the ball.
"I thought we had a strong case to appeal, but we have to accept the outcome and move on."
Clarke, meanwhile, has had some positive developments on the injury front after Stuart Sinclair was deemed fit enough to join in with full training yesterday morning.
The midfielder has been absent from first-team action for almost a month with a knee ligament problem, but looks certain to be in contention for the trip to face Tranmere Rovers in the FA Cup on Saturday.
"Stuart is an important player for us, but I don't want to take any credit away from the boys who have played so well to help us get some decent results in his absence," said Clarke.
"Ollie Clarke scored a great goal for us on Saturday, another one against Telford earlier in the season and then a world-class strike at Eastleigh.
"They were three massive goals for us and I am pleased for him because there was nobody more distraught than Ollie about what happened at the back-end of last season."
Angelo Balanta is also scheduled to rejoin the main training group tomorrow. The full extent of the ankle injury Neal Trotman suffered at Telford is yet to be fully diagnosed, but the defender is considered highly doubtful to be in contention for the trip to Prenton Park.
