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Search forLangley gets a second chance
08:00 - 28-August-2008
The 28-year-old former QPR, Cardiff City and Luton Town player strained a hamstring midway through the first-half of the reserve team's 3-0 defeat by the Bluebirds in a Memorial Stadium friendly.
Langley, released by the Hatters last season, has made 264 league appearances and has also been looked at by Hereford United and Cheltenham Town
"Richard has been at a number of clubs in recent weeks and we didn't realise until after he picked up the injury that he'd had a hard session at Gilllingham yesterday," said Pirates' coach Trollope.
"He gave a good little cameo appearance and it's something we may look at again in the future.
"He has proven quality, he's played a lot of international games and he needs a chance somewhere.
"He has strained his hamstring, but we may well look at things again when he is fit."
Rovers' director of football Lennie Lawrence paid £200,000 to take Langley to Cardiff City from QPR in 2003 while in charge at Ninian Park.
The Londoner spent two seasons with the Welsh club before returning to Loftus Road, where he had first come up through the youth ranks.
Rovers expect to complete the £60,000 signing of Jo Kuffour today after agreeing terms with the Bournemouth striker.
"Negotiations have gone well and things are all agreed. We hope Jo will train with us today, have a medical and then put pen to paper. It's all in place and we just need to tie things up," added Trollope.
Rovers also handed another outing to trialist Liam Harwood, a defender from Carshalton, in yesterday's friendly, and right-back Ryan Green played more than an hour as he continued his comeback from a hamstring problem.
"It was a much-needed 90 minutes for some of the players who have been on the fringes," said Trollope. "Ryan gave us a good hour and although he wasn't really tested for spells, it was good that he came through unscathed."
Rovers did suffer casualties among their youngsters though with Charlie Reece damaging ankle ligaments and Charlie Clough forced off with a dead leg.
Striker Josh Klein-Davies partnered Ben Hunt up front having returning to the club after his loan spell at Luton Town was cut short.
"Josh found it a bit tough going at Luton. He can't be involved with us this weekend because it's still within the first month of his loan, and he may well be loaned on somewhere else when he's available," said Trollope. "We also have James Fraser back from Lewes and these friendly games give us a chance to keep an eye on some of the youngsters who have been out on loan to see how they are progressing."
Cardiff took a fifth-minute lead when Hungarian international Gabor Gyepes headed home Jon Brown's cross, but the former Wolves central defender squandered a chance for his second after the break when keeper Mike Green saved his spot kick, awarded after Harwood had crudely brought down Brown.
Welsh Under-21 Brown broke through to slot home number two with 15 minutes left before Leigh Smith added a third.
Rovers' best chances fell to substitute Joe White and Klein-Davies after the break, but neither were able to beat former Aston Villa keeper Peter Enckelman.
Rovers fans heading to Leeds by train this weekend are being warned that engineering work means they will have to be bussed between Derby and Sheffield, adding around an hour to the journey.
Rovers have a limited amount of restricted view seats for the Elland Road clash left on sale.
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