Paul Trollope fielded a side containing a mixture youth and experience against Cardiff City at the Memorial Stradium this afternoon.

His side went down 3-0, though they did threaten to get back in the game in the second half, when trailing to a first half goal scored by Hungarian international Gabor Gyepes.

"We did field a mixed side," Paul told bristolrovers.co.uk, "But it was a good workout, and a much needed ninety minutes for a lot of players."

Ryan Green returned to competitive action for the first time since the Den Haag friendly, and came through an hour without any further problems.

"Although he wasn't he wasn't tested for large spells of that hour, it was good to see him come through it well and unscathed," said Paul.

Rovers didn't really cause the Welsh side too many problems during the opening period, though that changed after the break.

Paul continued: "I felt that, in the opening period, we tried to be a little too precise, and played in front of them all the time.

"But in the second half, when we got down the sides and started getting hold of it in their half, and started to pass it a little bit quicker, we created a couple of chances.

"The score was still 1-0 at that point, and if one of those chances had gone in it might have been a different story.

"We were a little bit square for their second goal and after that had gone in, it meant that we weren't going to get anything out of the game.

"However the game was staged for the purpose of giving people ninety minutes, so that was pleasing."

A number of younger players, who have been out on loan, made an appearance in this game.

"James Fraser is going to be returning from Lewes, but Adam Mahdi is still at Cirencester for the time being and Charlie Clough is still with Mangotsfield," said Paul.

"Josh Klein-Davies has also returned, although he can't be involved on Saturday as he's still within his first month with Luton.

"He's back training with us, after a frustrating time at Kenilworth Road. Luton signed a number of players to cover themselves and, unfortunately, Josh found the going a little bit tough there so he's back with us, although maybe we will look to send him out on loan again when his month with Luton expires.

"These friendlies are always going to be a case of keeping an eye on the ones out on loan, to see how they are progressing."

Rovers picked up a trio of unwanted injuries this afternoon.

"Charlie Clough has a dead leg, while it looks as though Charlie Reece has damaged ankle ligaments, which is disappointing," said Paul.

"Richard Langley has a strained hamstring, but he's someone we may look at again in the future. He's been at a number of clubs in recent weeks and we didn't realise, until after his injury, that he had a really hard session at Gillingham yesterday.

"He put in a good little cameo appearance in the short time he was on and he's a player with proven quality who has played a number of international games. He needs a chance somewhere, so we may well look at im again when he's fit."