Patterson faces his first game in charge against Walsall on Boxing Day

Bristol Rovers caretaker manager Darren Patterson has admitted the side were "wounded" by Paul Trollope's sacking.

Trollope was dismissed last week with the side lying 21st in League One with five wins from 19 matches.

"We have lost a first-class man and manager, and we were all a bit wounded last week," Patterson told the club's official website.

"But we have got through that as well, as you can in the short term and we need football games."

Rovers are yet to play a game under Patterson's temporary command, after the League One match against Colchester on Saturday was called off due to bad weather.

Patterson has revealed that he could make changes to Trollope's starting line-up when Rovers welcome Walsall to the Memorial Stadium on Boxing Day.

I was very disappointed on Saturday that the game was not on and so were the players - I felt a real anger within them and a real positive reaction Darren Patterson

"I will play with whoever I feel will do the job and win the game," he continued.

"I am not scared of making brave decisions and the players know that."

The former head of Rovers' youth development programme, who became Trollope's assistant in May, said he would consider introducing players from the system.

"It is a small squad, Paul has been saying that all season, but some of the younger boys have done really well so that is an avenue I have got.

"I was very disappointed on Saturday that the game was not on and so were the players. I felt a real anger within them and a real positive reaction."

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