Steve Evans provides update on Bristol Rovers January targets and striker injuries | Bristol Live

'No, Promise is still out, he won’t be around for now or the weekend.'

Bristol Rovers head coach Steve Evans has shared his thoughts on the remainder of the January transfer window, including both incoming and outgoing players, as well as providing an update on the fitness of Promise Omochere and Callum Morton.

The Gas have not been in action since the 3-0 victory against Shrewsbury Town on New Year’s Day, with the scheduled match at Barrow on January 4, postponed at late notice.

Since the win at The Croud Meadow, Evans has signed Ryan De Havilland and Kofi Balmer, while also recalling Isaac Hutchinson and sending back all five loanees: Kacper Lopata, Stephan Negru, Joel Cotterill, Alfie Chang, and Freddie Issaka.

Rovers’ next clash is a round of 16 Vertu Trophy match against Plymouth Argyle - an opponent who they beat 1-0 in the group stage of the same competition earlier this season.

Speaking about whether he envisages more signings ahead of the next league game against Colchester United on Saturday, Evans said: "Well, we certainly hope so, but again we're working so hard, and it's certainly not for being proactive on our front. When we signed Ryan De Havilland, and we signed Kofi, both had other options to consider.

"So it's not just a case of, you phone up a club and you get something agreed and you can then speak to them and then they’ll sign. The better ones have options. And we had that with Kofi, we had to be a little bit patient, we certainly had to be patient with Ryan, and that will continue as we go forward.

"So we've had discussions with some. Some have been in the building and having chats. Some will come back in the building and we’ll try and add to the group. We have to add to the group, we know we do, but it can't just be any player. It has to be the right players. I think the approach is different this time round."

The 63-year-old also discussed the potential of players leaving the club. Evans said: "Yeah, we've had to be careful. There has been one or two offers come in for players that immediately, Ricky or the owner has come to me and said, ‘What do you think?.’ I said I don’t want them to leave the group and I see them as a real part of it. So those offers have quickly been rebuffed and there's one or two players that we've given permission this week to clubs about either loan or permanent deals, and those conversations, they'll continue. But until such times as there's any development there, they need to remain private."

In terms of team news, Promise Omochere and Callum Morton remain sidelined, and with Ollie Dewsbury sent on loan to Weston-super-Mare, the only two senior strikers available currently are Fabrizio Cavegn and Ellis Harrison.

When asked about the fitness of Omochere, who has not played since the 4-0 defeat against Crawley Town on October 25, Evans said: "No, Promise is still out, he won’t be around for now or the weekend. He's just recovering from a little calf niggle and he has now been put in the position by me that tell us when you're fit Promise, rather than people trying to put us in a box when he’ll be fit, so tell us when you’re fit. He's working hard, and we need him back, though."

Morton has also played six times for the Gas, scoring in the 1-1 draw at Crewe Alexandra in Evans’ first game in charge. He has not featured since, though, and the head coach gave an update on his fitness and his insight into the details of his short-term contract.

"No, I think well, Callum's contract was due almost when he’s due back, if you like. I think 3rd to 27, 28th of January," Evans said. “We'll make a decision around then, you know, if Callum's fully fit, of course, there's a positive decision to make.

"I love the kid, I thought he was probably the best player on the night until he came off against Crewe, and I've seen him against my teams a few times as well. So he's got something to bring, but we don't need players that’s going to be six weeks away come the end of January. We need them to be ready to play."

A win against the Pilgrims would put the Gas into the last eight of the Vertu Trophy - only two victories away from a potential Wembley trip.