Grant McCann is welcoming upcoming selection headaches as more players make their return from injury.
Richard Wood and James Maxwell both played 45 minutes of Rovers’ win over Burton Albion in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy, joining the recently returning Kyle Hurst and Jack Senior.
Following a period of having more than a dozen players sidelined, the health of the squad is rapidly improving, much to McCann’s delight.
“It keeps the competition heathy,” he said. “It gives us more scope to change things from the substitutes’ bench if we need to change anything.
“It keeps the squad nice and strong so it’s pleasing.”
McCann said a late decision would be taken on whether goalkeeper Ian Lawlor would travel for the clash with AFC Wimbledon after suffering a back spasm prior to the win over Burton.
Joe Ironside and Ben Close are set to return to action after sitting out the two previous games.
Discussing players out for longer spells, McCann said there was positive news on Jamie Sterry, Tommy Rowe and Adam Long while the club continue to take a cautious approach with striker George Miller.
“It’s a difficult one with George because the knee is still not 100 per cent,” he said. “The physio is working with George to try to get to the bottom of the issue. The swelling keeps coming up on the knee every time he does something, which is really frustrating for us and for George.
“Jamie Sterry is coming along really well. Tommy Rowe has been back running on the grass, which is good. He’s probably still a couple of weeks away from contact but it’s his shoulder so we can still build up his fitness and robustness other ways.
“Tommy is probably two or three weeks away and it’s similar for Jamie but it’s nice to see those two back out and about.
“Adam Long is coming along nicely after his shoulder operation and he’s probably not too far away either.
“We’re definitely getting stronger from that point of view.”
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