The major form and fitness concerns facing Sunderland's next opponents as manager makes candid admission

Garner’s side head into the game under severe pressure after a wretched run of form culminated in a shock 3-1 defeat to Southend United on Saturday.

Clare-Harris, who has 14 goals in all competitions this season, missed that defeat and remains a doubt.

Garner has a number of other injury concerns, with Preston North End loanee Josh Ginnelly also sidelined.

“Josh Ginnelly, unfortunately, is a bit of a longer term one,” Garner told Bristol Live.

“He’s gone back to Preston now so we’re probably looking at a few weeks for that one, minimum.

“Jonson Clarke-Harris should train this morning and it will be just assessing where he is and how he feels, and then deciding what he can and can’t do tomorrow.

“He’s a massive player for us, we’re desperate to have him in the team, but at the same time we can’t put him in with the risk of breaking down and losing him potentially for the rest of the season.

“It will be a conversation between me and the medical staff this morning, see how he feels, and then make a decision from that.”

Rovers were fourth in the league when then manager Graham Coughlan made the shock decision to leave for League Two side Mansfield Town.

Since then, they have won just once in the league, and though Garner spent part of that time away from the club on compassionate leave, he admits he needs to oversee an upturn in results.

“We’re all playing for our futures, results haven’t been good enough and I shoulder the blame for that,” he said.

“That rests solely with me, but I’m constantly assessing who’s coming with me. Who is part of the future, who is doing the right things?

“And even after Saturday when I look around the dressing room and speaking to them, which ones can look me in the eye? Which ones can take on what I’m saying and which ones aren’t?

“The results haven’t been good enough, they’re’s no shying away from that. I completely understand all the frustrations of the support. I understand the criticism coming my way.

“I can’t work any harder than I am. At the end of every day I can look myself in the mirror knowing I’ve fully prepared for every game, I’ve done everything possible.

“Like I say, I’m judging who here is doing the same…

“We need to get some results, finish the season strong and then make those adjustments in the summer, and we need to be in a much stronger position when we come into pre-season,” he added.

“But we need to get to pre-season. I’m not stupid, results need to improve.”

The two sides met in the league late last month, with Sunderland running out 3-0 winners after a second half red card shown to Abu Ogogo.

Garner had been left furious with the officials after that game, and urged his side to replicate the defensive discipline they had showed in the first hour.