Bristol Rovers

Rovers hope for Memorial solution
Bristol Rovers' revised application to redevelop the club's Memorial Stadium will go before Bristol City Council on Wednesday night. The club had got planning permission last year for an 18,500 seater stadium, student flats, a hotel and gym. But, after deciding to reduce the scale of the operation, Rovers had to re-submit the revised project to the City planning authorities. If approved, the building project will then be put out to tender. The cost of the redevelopment will be met by incorporating 99 student flats into the new stadium as well as a 100-room hotel, a small supermarket and a gym. The club says the alterations to the existing plans are minor and would involve increasing the height of the two towers at the north end of the ground by almost two metres. For both Rovers and Bristol Rugby the redevelopment will mean a major upheaval and the prospect of two seasons spent playing outside the city. Bristol Rovers did have an agreement to share with Cheltenham Town before the project was delayed but are now also in discussion with both Swindon Town and Yeovil Town about the possibility of playing at either of their grounds. Bristol Rugby have been in talks with several clubs, problems over access has ruled out a move to Clifton Rugby club but talks are under way to share with Newport in Wales. Playing some games at Bristol City's Ashton Gate ground is still a possibility but may depend on whether City are promoted to the Premier League.

Campbell injury concerns Trollope
Bristol Rovers head coach Paul Trollope has said he is waiting to find out if midfielder Stuart Campbell will be fit to play Walsall on Tuesday. The 30-year-old injured his ankle at the end of Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Bournemouth, but played on as all three substitutes had been used. "He is going to stay with the physio and see how he is," Trollope told SSB. "He's jarred his ankle and it was very sore at the end of the game." Even though his side have now gone 11 games without a win, Trollope believes his side still have enough to stay away from the relegation right. "We've had a lot of games recently and it's the end of a long hard season but the way we finished on Saturday and the energy at Nottingham Forest would suggest that the players have still got it. "Whoever plays, they need to be fresh mentally and physically and it might mean changing one or two things around in the next few games to ensure that," he said.

Walker on the way out - Trollope
Bristol Rovers head coach Paul Trollope has admitted that striker Richard Walker is surplus to requirements at the Memorial Ground. "He turned a few loans down this season and we feel for League One we need to move on," Trollope told SSB. "That happens in football. "Richard's old enough to understand the situation, he's given us good service and scored a lot of goals. "No-one can argue with his record or his attitude during the hard times." Walker, who has scored 62 goals for the Pirates since joining from Oxford in July 2004, has not featured for the Rovers first-team in over a month. "I've got the utmost respect for Richard for the way he's conducted himself. He's played a huge part for us in the last few years," Trollope added.

Coles happy to stay with Rovers
Bristol Rovers defender Danny Coles says he is flattered by reports linking him with the Championship, but is happy to remain at the Memorial Stadium. Plymouth are reported to be interested in the 26-year-old, who does not deny his ambition to play at a higher level. "If an opportunity did come up to step up and the money was right for the club then it's something I'm interested in," Coles told BBC Radio Bristol. He joined Rovers last season after a successful loan spell from Hull City.

Rovers close in on Kuffour deal
Bristol Rovers hope to complete the signing of striker Jo Kuffour after agreeing a fee with Bournemouth. The deal has been held up because Kuffour, 26, had flu last week, but first-team coach Paul Trollope will speak to the player this week. "We believe Jo and his agent are coming down on Tuesday or Wednesday to hopefully tie things up," Trollope told BBC Radio Bristol. Meanwhile Aaron Lescott and Stuart Campbell have agreed deals until 2010. "They've both signed for another year so have two years left," Trollope added. "Both have played huge parts in the last few years, and I think Aaron was part of a group of players who kept us in the football league. "They deserve it, because they have been consistent performers in the first team, and they set an excellent example both on and off the pitch."

Lambert keen on new Pirates deal
Bristol Rovers striker Rickie Lambert could sign a new contract within the next week. Rovers' top goalscorer, 26, has been in negotiations with the club for the last few months about a new deal. He told Radio Bristol: "I don't think it'll be long now. I want to stay, I'm happy here. The sooner it gets sorted out the better." Lambert joined Rovers in August 2006 and after 19 goals last season, has scored four in four games this season.

Trollope demands committed start
Bristol Rovers first-team coach Paul Trollope is calling for his players to be committed from the first whistle after losing 2-1 at Cheltenham. Trollope told Radio Bristol: "We've got to show intensity from the start, not when you go two goals down. "We've got work to do. I'm a fighter, I know the players are with me. We'll stick together to get a positive result at Yeovil." Rovers are 21st in League One after a third successive defeat.

Hinton hopes for starting chance
Bristol Rovers defender Craig Hinton hopes his performance in Saturday's 0-0 draw with Crewe will help him to win a place in the first team. Hinton, 30, came off the bench after only nine minutes to help Rovers keep a clean sheet. He told Radio Bristol: "You have to respect Paul Trollope's decision and see if you get your chance so hopefully I've done enough, we'll see. "Everything's geared to Saturdays and especially at my age I need to play."

Memorial to remain home to Rovers
Bristol Rovers chairman Nick Higgs has announced the club will remain at the Memorial Stadium during the redevelopment process. Plans for Bristol's Memorial Stadium to be expanded were given the go-ahead in 2007 but revised when the Stadium Project was delayed in June. The new plans will allow the club to stay during construction without a move to Cheltenham Town's Whaddon Road. The redevelopment process will be done in two phases and should begin in 2009. Rovers chairman Nick Higgs told the club's website the stadium will maintain a capacity of 8,500 at all times during construction. "We will be able to maintain the majority of the corporate and spectator facilities during phase one and replacement facilities will come on line during phase two. "This approach will retain much needed income for the club during construction and accommodate our corporate partners and fans on match days," he added. Higgs said car parking has been reduced "but plans are being made to advance the Park and Ride scheme". He added: "The playing surface will be moved to its new position during the close season between phases one and two. "Due to the current turmoil in the financial markets, it is not certain that we will be able to achieve the necessary funding in the manner we first planned, and the board are now exploring alternative proposals with various other parties. "Needless to say, nothing will be done that will put the club at risk, and progress will be made when the time is right." A further announcement will be made by the club about funding in January.

Rovers need another run - Kuffour
Bristol Rovers striker Jo Kuffour says they must focus on producing another unbeaten run following Saturday's late 2-1 loss to Leicester City. The Pirates had not lost in seven matches since their 2-1 defeat at Cheltenham on 16 September. But Barry Hayles, who scored the two goals that day on loan at Cheltenham, helped create the first of Matty Fryatt's two late goals for the Foxes. And Kuffour, who had put Rovers ahead, admitted it was "very hard to take". "In this division," he told the club website, "anyone can beat anyone. "We've got to keep our heads up, and set about going on another run of unbeaten games." The Pirates' next test is this Saturday against Bournemouth at Dean Court (8 November, 1500 GMT).

Trollope is manager of the month
Bristol Rovers first team coach Paul Trollope has been named League One manager of the month for October. The Pirates claimed four wins and a draw from their five October fixtures. Prior to that, Rovers had gone seven games without a win but their improved form has moved them up six places from 19th to 13th in the League table. "It was a good month and we want to repeat it," Trollope told Radio Bristol. "It is a recognition of the team's form over the month. He added: "We tweaked the system well and the players have responded really well to it. "We haven't started this month well with a defeat at Leicester and we want to bounce back. "Even in defeat at Leicester, we kept the performance level we've had and that was crucial. "If we can get there more often and not, we will win games."

Focus is on the league - Trollope
Bristol Rovers first-team coach Paul Trollope has turned his attentions towards League One after their FA Cup first-round exit to Bournemouth. The Cherries won 1-0 on Saturday as the Pirates fell at the first hurdle. Former Wales midfielder Trollope told the club website: "'Concentrating on the league' is the phrase now. "We're confident the group of players we have here are capable of performing and challenging in the top half of League One." The coach said: " making sure we have some good results between now and Christmas." Rovers' next game is at home on Friday against Scunthorpe.

Lambert staying, says Rovers boss
Bristol Rovers boss Paul Trollope has again insisted that star striker Rickie Lambert is not for sale. Lambert produced two fine finishes to end a six-game goalless run in the 3-2 win at home to Cheltenham on Tuesday. The victory saw Rovers climb five places in the table and underlined the 26-year-old's importance to the side. "We've had no enquiries," said Trollope. "The lad's happy here and he's the focal point of our side. He's not going anywhere." Lambert's future has been the subject of speculation since before the transfer window opened and Trollope has been deflecting questions about the forward's future throughout January. A host of clubs have reportedly been keen to secure the Liverpudlian's services, with moves to Bolton, Sheffield United and Huddersfield mooted. In light of that, Lambert's goal drought since mid-December has probably helped dampen down gossip on the back pages and the 606 messageboards. But for Trollope, the joy of seeing his leading marksman back on the goal trail far outweighs any inconvenience from fielding renewed calls and questions regarding the possibility of an imminent departure from the Memorial Stadium. Trollope described Lambert's 19th and 20th strikes of the campaign as "great finishes", particularly the 85th-minute winner when he collected Craig Disley's pass from the left and thundered the ball past Scott Brown after a neat turn in the box. "That would have graced any ground at this level, and a higher level," said Trollope. "In the circumstances, when the crowd are rocking and there's a desperation to get a winning goal, to produce the composure that he did shows the quality of the lad. "It was a lovely finish and he deserved it. People spoke about his goal drought, but he's got 20 and I'm sure he's aiming for 30." Trollope said he was never in any doubt that Lambert would get back on track and insists transfer speculation has had no impact on the player. He has also been quick to praise Lambert's effort and work ethic during his goalless run. Lambert was also confident the goals would come again before long, but admitted it was a relief to get the first, when he stole in at the near post to flick home David Pipe's right-flank cross. "It was about time and I knew as soon as I scored one I'd follow it up with a few more," said Lambert. "I always have droughts and a goal spurt, and hopefully this will be another one." And as well as the two goals, Lambert was key in the second equaliser when his firm header from Stuart Campbell's free-kick was parried by Brown to Darryl Duffy, who slotted home from an acute angle. And a minute later Lambert's winner saw him climb above Leicester's Matty Fryatt at the top of the division's scoring charts and settle what Trollope described as a "blood and thunder derby". "To come from behind was brilliant. We thoroughly deserved the win and to get it in that style was superb," Lambert added. "Hopefully I'll go on and score a few more, but I've never set targets and I'm not going to start now." The next challenge for Lambert, with trips to Southend, Oldham, Crewe and Scunthorpe on the horizon, is to start finding the net again on the road. Just one of his last 10 strikes have come in away matches. And if Rovers, who are the seventh highest scorers in League One, are to push on up the table let alone bridge the six-point divide to 11th-placed Colchester, Trollope knows points on the road are the priority, and not talk of Lambert's future.

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