Andy Mangan provides Bristol Rovers injury update as he previews Charlton trip
Jevani Brown and James Wilson were two of the players missing from Saturday’s squad against Barnsley
Andy Mangan has provided the latest on injured duo Jevani Brown and James Wilson ahead of Tuesday night’s trip to Charlton Athletic.
The summer signings were both surprise absentees from the matchday squad on Saturday as Bristol Rovers drew 1-1 at home to Barnsley, alongside James Belshaw.
Regarding the latter, Mangan said after the game when asked about the goalkeeper’s absence: “That’s something that you’ll have to speak to the manager about. That’s well above my pay grade unfortunately.”
However, Brown and Wilson were absent with respective injuries that shouldn’t prove too significant a setback.
“Jevani won’t be too long,” the Rovers coach told Bristol Live. “Just felt something towards the back end of the Ipswich game when he stiffened up.
“James Wilson won’t be too long as well. He got flattened last week by Connor Taylor so he’s felt a little bit of a niggle. There was no point in risking him as we’re really strong in that area.”
Saturday was also Mangan’s final time taking charge of the team with Joey Barton now having served his three-match stadium ban which has seen the manager absent from the Gas’ first three games of the season.
Barton will be back on the touchline at the Valley on Tuesday evening but as part of his final media duties, Mangan previewed the trip to the capital, saying: “I think that they’ve signed some really good players if I’m honest.
“We’ve been watching them a little bit last week as well and they’re a really good side. Someone who have recruited a new manager, I believe they’ve got new owners as well so they’re having a right good go.
“But why don’t you want these tests? These tests challenge us. We’ve played two of the teams who are up there for favourites to get promoted. Charlton are probably another one because we go there with no fear because we’ve dominated the game in so many areas.
“We should be looking forward, we should be delighted for this challenge. I think we’ll do really well. At some point, we’re going to score a few against someone. Someone’s going to catch us on fire and it could be anything.”
The coach added that Rovers’ first three league opponents, as well as Ipswich Town whom they played in the Carabao Cup, have been Premier League sides in the past, exclaiming: “All ex-Premier League teams. That’s something we want to be. That’s what we’re all driving for, to be a Championship club.
“[There’s] so much positivity towards the club but the only way things get more positive is by winning. You have to win. Yes, a couple of good performances, really good, but lads, we have to win.”
Finally, it was also confirmed that there are no plans to make significant changes to manage with the busy opening schedule with Mangan telling Bristol Live: “What we normally do here, the process is that they’ll have a day off tomorrow. They’ll come in on Monday and we’ll just have to see how the bodies are. There’s an excellent recovery system here so I’m sure they’ll be absolutely fine. It’s just about how you manage the timings between days so they’ll be fine.”
Rovers are still looking for their first win of the season but have produced two excellent displays thus far in the league against tough opposition and will be seeking a third consecutive victory over Charlton having done the double over the Addicks last season.
