Bristol Rovers manager insists he won't rush into loan market

Bristol Rovers manager Mark McGhee insists he won't rush into the loan market, despite mounting injury concerns.

Defender Cian Bolger was the latest addition to the casualty list earlier this week after a scan confirmed he had damaged knee ligaments and would be sidelined for at least three months.

The young Irish defender has joined Danny Woodards, Scott Bevan and Shaquille Hunter on the treatment table, while summer signing Garry Kenneth is still considered to be a fortnight away from a return following a calf strain.

McGhee, however, said: "I think we have enough cover at the back, particularly with Garry Kenneth expected to be available for consideration in the next couple of weeks or so.

"We're always on the lookout to do business in the loan market, but if we are to bring someone in it would have to be somebody that will improve us.

"I spent a lot of time this week going through a list of 30 or so names that have been recommended to us by various people over the last ten days or so. I've gone through that list with a fine-toothed comb to see if there was anybody available who could really help us.

"As it was, I came out of that process thinking that there was nobody there that would improve on what we have already got.

"We will keep looking and, if somebody does come up, I will go straight to the chairman and make a recommendation that we try to go and get them."

McGhee is expected to compensate for the loss of Bolger for tomorrow's trip to leaders Gillingham by returning Adam Virgo to the heart of defence following two games at right-back.

Michael Smith will come back in at right-back after being named among the substitutes for last weekend's 2-2 draw with Aldershot.

McGhee said Bolger's absence had hampered his plan to move central defender Tom Parkes into midfield when Kenneth returns to the side.

"It's dreadful news about Cian," said McGhee. "I really did feel he was going to be an important player for us.

"It has hampered my plans slightly in that I was considering the possibility of moving Tom Parkes into midfield if and when I had the chance to partner Cian and Garry Kenneth at the back."

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