Town legend Russell Osman has joined Bristol Rovers as caretaker manager. Osman, a former TWTD columnist, will run the Gasheads along with Kevan Broadhurst until the end of the season.

They replace Phil Bater who had been in temporary charge since Ray Graydon left. Last week Rovers announced that another former Town player, Ian Atkins, would take over in the summer, prompting Oxford United, his current employers, to suspend him.

Osman, who lives in the Bristol area, has been out of management since leaving Cardiff six years ago but feels he has it in him to steer the Pirates away from the bottom of Division Three: "When you see a club struggling you offer your services and if I thought I'd fail I wouldn't take it on.

"I spoke to one of the directors a while ago to remind him that I am a local coach and I am available if they needed someone to help out.

"Kevan also knows the leagues well and between us I'm sure we can do the job that needs doing."

Rovers are currently 21st in the Third Division.

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