PLYMOUTH Albion are sweating on the fitness of two players ahead of Sunday's trip to Rotherham in the Championship.

Winger Liam Gibson and centre Ben Mercer, who scored a try on his debut in last weekend's 33-10 win over Birmingham-Solihull, are both doubtful for the clash.

Gibson has a hamstring problem and appears to be the less likely to feature, while Mercer is suffering from a dead leg.

Albion are already expected to head to Clifton Lane without the services of centre Matt Hopper who missed last Saturday's match due to an ongoing ankle injury that has plagued him since April.

"Matt is not ruled out yet, but I would say it is unlikely he will be fit enough to be considered for this weekend," said Albion's chairman of rugby Graham Dawe.

"His injury is baffling and it is not ideal that he isn't fit and available for selection.

"However, with or without Matt, we have to carry on."

Dawe added: "Ben Mercer has a dead leg which he sustained in training on Tuesday night.

"Liam Gibson has a hamstring problem which he picked up in last Saturday's game.

"Neither player trained on Wednesday, although both had a chance to rest yesterday when the players had a day off.

"They will both be given a fitness test tomorrow and we will know then if they are likely to feature.

"Liam has a 50/50 chance of being fit, while Ben is the better side of 50/50."

If either Gibson or Mercer are deemed unfit to travel to Rotherham, then it leaves Dawe and his coaching staff with something of a selection dilemma.

The Brickfields outfit have a number of utility players in their squad this season who are equally comfortable in a variety of positions.

"It is not ideal that both Ben and Liam are struggling with injuries," said Dawe.

"Matt Hopper's absence is putting pressure on the squad, but we do have options in the centre with the likes of Steve Johns, Mark Lee and Gary Kingdom all able to play there."

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