Jones suffers setback

Jones has been out since September and had hoped to return before the turn of the year after undergoing knee surgery, but the 35-year-old has broken down again this week.

"Rob's having problems with his knee. It's a frustrating time for the big man," Rovers boss Paul Dickov told local reporters.

"He wanted to play in the Under-21 game [against Gateshead] but we both came to the mature decision it was probably right for him to miss it.

"He's been training, and training well, but every now and then it flares up and gets a bit sore.

"We'll nurse him through this."

Jones missed the majority of last season with a neck problem. He started the current campaign alongside Luke McCullough in defence but has not featured since limping off against Bristol City in September.

Meanwhile, fellow centre-half Jamie McCombe is due to see a specialist this week after tweaking his knee in training.