ROVERS have announced that next Sunday’s home game with Fleetwood Town has been postponed.

They have exercised the option to call the game off having had three players called up for international duty.

Jayson Leutwiler (Canada), Charlie Mulgrew (Scotland) and Corry Evans (Northern Ireland) have been named in their respective national team squads for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

Under league rules, although there is no international break for League One and League Two teams, clubs do have the option to postpone their fixture should they have three players called up to their respective senior, or Under-21s, sides.

Rovers were originally due to host the Cod Army on Saturday, September 2, but the game was moved back until the Sunday, with a 12.15pm kick-off, because it was due to be on Sky Sports.

However, with Rovers having given Sky advanced notice that they may reach three international call-ups, they reserved their right to postpone the fixture.

The postponement means this weekend’s home game with MK Dons (Saturday, August 26) will be their final league game until they travel to Rochdale on Saturday, September 9.

Despite calling off their league fixture, Rovers will be without the trio for their first Checkatrade Trophy group stage match against Stoke City Under-21s on Tuesday, August 29.

A re-arranged date for the Fleetwood game will be announced in due course.

A club spokesman said: “As Charlie Mulgrew (Scotland), Corry Evans (Northern Ireland) and Jayson Leutwiler (Canada) have all been called up for international duty that weekend, Rovers have received approval from the EFL that the game can be rearranged.

“Under EFL policy, clubs are only able to request postponement of league games in the event that they have three or more players selected for international duty.

“Therefore, Rovers’ Checkatrade Trophy Group C match at home to Stoke City Under-21s on Tuesday August 29th (kick-off 7.45pm) will go ahead as planned.   

“A new date for the Fleetwood fixture will be announced in due course.”