Hall returns for Rovers’ must-win

With St Martin’s arriving at Port Soif this afternoon, now just four points adrift with three games in hand, the Rovers coach knows losing would be highly damaging and a win is now vital.

‘There’s a probably a bit more pressure on us to win the game,’ he said with a dollop of under-statement.

‘Everybody knows how important it is so there’s no need for a team talk,’ said a man who was not all surprised to see St Martin’s win twice in a week on their return to league action.

‘It leaves us where I thought they’d be,’ he said of a situation made worse for the twice recent FNB Priaulx League champions by dropping two points in the goal-less draw with Sylvans, the outsiders in the title equation.

‘Hopefully, we will find our shooting boots,’ he added while also revealing midfielder Jack Batiste is out and may have picked up a serious knee injury last weekend.

‘They are worried it might be something serious – could be an ACL injury. He’s been cursed this season,’ Gillease said of a player who previously was out for a long period with a bad hamstring tear.

Sam Hall will be back in the starting line-up and Carlos Canha has shrugged off whatever it was that caused him to feel unwell against Sylvans, drop off the pace and be subbed.

But other than the Batiste injury and the long-standing unavailability of Will Fazakerley, Gillease has a full squad available and will again have some tough choices to make.

‘Trying to pick a squad is tough enough – a team even harder.

‘Last week we left out the likes of Dale Webb and Louis Falla. Niall Hainsworth hasn’t seen any action.

‘But I think everyone’s on board with what we are doing and appreciates the position we are in.’

In what is a busy day of Priaulx football Sylvans are in Alderney, Belgraves entertain Manzur at the Track and Rangers host Northerners at St Andrew’s. All the games on island are 2pm kick-off.