Jamie Stephens is fit to face Bristol Rovers on Saturday after Manchester City keeper Ian Lawlor finished his loan at Barnet and joined League One side Bury.

Stephens has missed the Bees’ last five matches and last featured in the 1-0 FA Cup defeat against former club Newport County at the start of December.

The 22-year-old has been sidelined with a thigh problem, forcing head coach Martin Allen to sign Manchester City goalkeeper Lawlor on an emergency loan deal.

However, Lawlor today joined League One side Bury on loan until the end of the season.

"Jamie is fit," Allen told the Times Series. "Manchester City made the decision on Ian.

"Obviously we wanted to keep him but Manchester City let me know on Wednesday Bury had come in for him.

"It's nearer his home and it's a level up for him. Everyone would say he's been a fantastic signing for us."

Under the Football League’s rules Lawlor could only remain at The Hive for as long as the Bees don’t have a professional keeper passed fit enough to play by an independent medical practitioner.

Earlier this week Allen revealed Stephens was expected to resume training ahead of the Pirates' visit.

He said: “Jamie is hopefully going to start full training at the end of this week.

“He had one small session at the end of last week but it’s going to take a bit of time because he’s been out for a few weeks.

“Now he’s got to get working on his thigh with regards to kicking and full-time training. He’s not that far away.”

Number one Graham Stack (groin) is still sidelined though Allen said last week the 34-year-old is ahead of schedule in his recovery.