A concerning update for Bristol Rovers fans: former forward Chris Martin's return to the pitch is still a long way off. Head coach Darrell Clarke has revealed that Martin, who last played for the club in March, is "nowhere near" being ready to make a comeback from his knee injury.
Martin, a 36-year-old veteran, underwent surgery on his knee in March and has been working hard on his rehabilitation with the club. However, Clarke's comments suggest that the player's return is not imminent, despite his contract with the Gas expiring over the summer.
But here's where it gets controversial... Bristol Rovers have been struggling on the pitch, with a recent run of five consecutive league losses. During this period, they've only managed to score two goals, highlighting the impact of key players like Martin.
"Chris is making progress with the medical team, but I haven't seen him on the training field enough to believe he'll be back soon," Clarke explained.
And this is the part most people miss... Despite their league woes, the Gas have found success in other competitions. They defeated Plymouth 1-0 in the EFL Trophy and also overcame Bromley 2-1 in the FA Cup first round.
"We've created chances, but we need to convert more of them," Clarke emphasized. "We should be generating even more opportunities with the amount of possession we've had."
With several key forwards out due to injury, including Promise Omochere and Ellis Harrison, Clarke is relying on his remaining players to step up.
"We'll keep pushing and working with the squad we have until the injured players return," he said.
Next up for Bristol Rovers is a crucial away match against Accrington Stanley on Saturday. Clarke is confident his team can turn their fortunes around.
"I expect a winning performance on Saturday. We need to perform at our best to secure those three points, regardless of who is available."
Will Bristol Rovers be able to turn their season around? And is Chris Martin's return the key to their success? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
