Reid A Doubt, Roberts Ready

Steven Reid could be a doubt for the opening day clash with Portsmouth at Fratton Park on Saturday. The Rovers midfielder picked up an ankle injury as he captained the Republic of Ireland on Wednesday evening.

Having taken a knock on the ankle after only five minutes, Reid would continue, only to go over on the same ankle before half-time, and would be replaced during the break. Jonathan Douglas would also feature in Ireland`s heavy 4-0 defeat to the Dutch, but came through unscathed as did the other globetrotting Rovers.

The full extend of the Reid injury is yet to be revealed, but his absence would be a massive blow for Mark Hughes.

Jason Roberts on the other hand will be playing, and will have a key role to play. After four goals in six pre-season games he will start his competitive Rovers career against one of his former sides, speaking on Rovers World he said

"It is going to be a big game, with lots of emotion on Saturday but hopefully we'll come away with the right result,"

He would admit that facing Portsmouth at Fratton Park will be a tough proposition, and to get anything at all will be tough, but the aim will be not to come away empty handed, also saying

"There is no doubt we want to go and put in a good performance, but first and foremost we want to get the points and that is what we'll be aiming to do."

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