Bristol Rovers vs Sunderland. Sky Bet League One.
The Memorial StadiumAttendance10,009.
Thursday 21 February 2019 15:48, UK
Alex Rodman is set to miss his second game running as Bristol Rovers take on Sunderland in Sky Bet League One.
Winger Rodman missed the midweek draw with Portsmouth after sustaining an injury in training. Manager Graham Coughlan said the extent of the injury is not yet known but hopes it will prove a short-term issue.
Ollie Clarke is available again after suspension and Tom Lockyer suffered no ill-effects after allegedly being punched by Portsmouth striker James Vaughan on Tuesday.
Sunderland's promotion hopes have suffered a blow with the news that Chris Maguire will be out for six to eight weeks. Maguire suffered a fractured fibula in the early stages of the 4-2 win over Gillingham in midweek.
Manager Jack Ross said the midfielder will be assessed next week to determine whether he will need surgery. Lynden Gooch replaced Maguire on Tuesday and will hope to retain his place in the side against Rovers.
Bristol Rovers are winless in their last four games in all competitions against Sunderland (D2 L2), last winning in February 1992 in a second-tier clash.
Sunderland will be visiting Bristol Rovers in a league away game for the first time since February 1992, with their previous trip coming in the League Cup third round in October 2000, winning 2-1.
50% of the points Bristol Rovers have won in League One this season (17) have come in 11 games under Graham Coughlan (W4 D5 L2), having won 17 in 21 games under Darrell Clarke (W4 D5 L12).
Midfielder Lee Cattermole has scored more league goals for Sunderland this season in 20 games (4) than he managed in 204 appearances across his first nine seasons at the club between 2009-10 and 2017-18 (3).
Sunderland are the only team in the top four tiers of English football this season to have scored in every league match so far.
