BROMSGROVE Rovers are confident they can fend off an approach from neighbours Redditch United for skipper Mark Bowater.

Struggling Rovers, who visit bottom club Yate Town in the Dr Martens League Western Division tomorrow (3.00), have received a seven-day approach from the Reds for the influential defender.

Rovers chief executive Pat Bannister said: "Obviously we don't want him to go, but like any other player he has a right to talk to other clubs. Hopefully we can persuade him to stay."

Bowater will still be in the line-up tomorrow when Rovers could give a debut to left-back James Cooper, who was previously on the books of West Bromwich Albion and Cambridge United.

Midfielder Kevin Jinks is Rovers' only doubt with a pulled thigh muscle, sustained during last week's crucial 4-1 win over fellow strugglers Paget Rangers. Defenders Alex Winstone and Graham Brown remain sidelined.

Rovers are confident of improving their survival prospects against a side they beat 3-0 at home in December.

But Yate scored only their second win of the season with a shock 1-0 success against Solihull last week.

Bannister added: "I believe they have had a series of new players and obviously it must have shown last Saturday.

"Every game we play, no matter who it is against, is a six-pointer for us. We have pulled away but there are teams below us who have games in hand.

"We have to be optimistic that we can go to Yate with a view to getting all three points."

Bromsgrove (from): Gabbidon, Townsend, Ulfig, Ashley, Bowater, Rochester, Humphreys, Benbow, Sutton, Daley, Jinks, Davies, Wilkins, Hunter, Cooper.