Team news

Pirates pair absent for Pilgrims clash Bristol Rovers duo David Clarkson and Jim Paterson have been ruled out of their New Year's Day clash against Plymouth.

The injured pair were set to miss the trip to Cheltenham on Saturday, which was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, but they will not return against an Argyle side five points ahead of them in npower League Two.

Paterson has a hamstring tweak while Clarkson's ankle is still swollen and they will be joined in the stands by captain Garry Kenneth who will serve his one-game ban against Carl Fletcher's men.

Striker Tom Eaves has returned to parent club Bolton after his 93-day emergency loan deal expired on Saturday while right-back Danny Woodards looks set to be given the green light to feature after illness.

John Ward remains without long-term injury absentees Scott Bevan (wrist), club captain Matt Gill (knee) and Matt Harrold (knee) while defender Adam Virgo and midfielder Matt Lund are also out.

Pirates' boss John Ward turned down the director of football role at Home Park to become the new manager at the Memorial Ground two weeks ago.

Plymouth could be without their Boxing Day saviour Tyler Harvey for the trip after he came off on Saturday with a calf injury.

The 17-year-old youth product's second start for the club against Wycombe ended after 56 minutes when manager Carl Fletcher withdrew the striker, who scored Argyle's late equaliser at Torquay on Wednesday.

If Harvey does not make it then Warren Feeney or Rhys Griffiths could step into the side while midfielder Mark Molesley, who came on in the 1-0 defeat to the Chairboys, could earn a recall.

Bristol Rovers vs Plymouth

Last modified 15:15 01/01/13

Ward registers first Rovers win First-half goals from Joe Anyinsah and Matt Lund gave struggling Bristol Rovers a New Year lift with a 2-1 victory over Plymouth in John Ward's first home game since returning as manager.

The home side went in front after 19 minutes when Argyle goalkeeper Rene Gilmartin could only palm out an inswinging corner from Fabian Broghammer and Anyinsah fired the ball pack past him with a fierce drive from 12 yards.

Another Broghammer corner from the opposite left side saw Lund make it 2-0 with a stunning volley after 25 minutes, while all Plymouth could offer in the first half were a couple of off-target headers from Onismor Bhasera and Nick Chadwick.

The visitors improved after the break and Conor Hourihane shot them back into the game from Durrell Berry's right-wing cross after 62 minutes.

Hourihane then hit a post with a shot from the edge of the box, but Rovers defended solidly and held out without further alarms.