Martin confident he can replicate prolific Rovers form

Chris Martin (right) has played two cup games for Rovers since returning from injury

Bristol Rovers striker Chris Martin is "confident" he can produce the same form that saw him score 16 goals last season, as he returns to the side after a long injury lay-off.

Martin has made just five appearances for the club this campaign after breaking his fibula in a "freak" injury on 29 August.

He played 49 minutes of their EFL Trophy loss to Exeter and 79 minutes of the FA Cup first round win against Weston-super-Mare last Saturday, ahead of a possible league return this weekend against Lincoln.

"I still am very confident I'm able to produce that same form again this season as I was last season and hopefully I'll prove them right very soon," Martin told BBC Radio Bristol.

"I think for me it's about continuing to try to perform in training, keep getting the reps in, keep getting the habit of scoring goals and then I think that will get taken into games."

Martin, 36, was Rovers' top scorer last season and also missed the first game of the 2024-25 campaign due to a four-game suspension that was carried over into the new season.

He described the time on the sidelines as "frustrating" but that he was now "totally fit".

"It was a bit of an innocuous challenge, probably something I've seen or been involved with a few times and just so happened to crack my leg," he added.

"It was frustrating but at the same time it wasn't a muscle injury where you think it was preventable or there's an issue here or there.

"It was maybe a little bit easier to deal with but I guess it depends on the perspective.

"It was a bit of a freak, not really too preventable, so just have to get on with it, get the rehab going - which was tough because I could do so little to begin with. Once the bone was healed up in terms of returning to play it went quite quickly."

Rovers have been inconsistent this season so far and face Lincoln on Saturday with three wins and three losses in their last six league games.

The Gas' tally of 15 goals in 13 games ranks 15th in League One, with Scott Sinclair, Promise Omochere and Jamie Lindsay their top scorers on two each, and manager Matt Taylor said his side need Martin to be ready.

"He's still after a bit of the sharpness and the movement that he's used to but great to have him fit and available," Taylor said.

"The challenge will be can we keep him fit and available and get him back to his best form by giving him the service that he needs."