Bristol Rovers are looking at a potential promotion to League One this year - and they won't be thinking about anything else until they know if a spot in the third tier is secure or not.

The club are currently fifth in the League Two standings and will be thinking about progressing through the play-offs and ending up back in League One.

There's also still a chance that they could sneak up into the automatic promotion spots too - and until they know where they will be playing their football next year, they likely won't make any decisions about player contracts.

However, Joey Barton faces a real squad reshuffling this summer - and there could be plenty of players heading into the free agent market.

Glenn Whelan

He might be 38-years-old but Whelan has been instrumental for the club this season, with 38 League Two appearances and two assists along the way.

He's been a reliable face in the centre of the field for them since joining in the summer - but considering where he is at in his career, he might not pen an agreement beyond the summer. As of yet, there is no new contract on the table it appears.

Sam Nicholson

The 27-year-old has been massive for Joey Barton's side this season, with 32 outings producing five goals and four assists in the league. He's versatile, can score and has excellent vision too.

He's a player they probably won't want to lose - but his current deal will run out in the summer and that could lead to him potentially leaving the club for absolutely nothing.

 

 

Leon Clarke

Clarke was signed as an option in attack back at the beginning of the season and he's been just that, allowing Barton to use him in rotation.

He's only had ten League Two appearances though so far and has produced two goals. He's mainly had to make do with cameos off the bench though and considering he is now 37-years-old and with his deal up, he too could be off this summer.

Paul Coutts

Coutts has been arguably one of the best players in the Rovers squad this season and having only joined up with them in the summer, he has already made his mark on the team and become a mainstay.

The midfielder has been dominant in the centre of the field despite being 33-years-old and has continued to perform week-in and week-out with 37 league outings to his name so far.

However, the player has not agreed a deal beyond this campaign - and could be available on a deal for nothing this summer.

Antony Evans

One of the younger players to be out of contract this summer is Evans.

At 23-years-old though, he has proven he can perform to the very highest level in the fourth tier. He has eight goals and nine assists in just 32 league matches so far and has been extremely influential for the club when on the field.

They certainly won't want to let him leave, especially on a free. However, his deal is up in the summer and that could mean he leaves if there is not a new contract agreed soon.

Cian Harries

Used mainly in rotation this season, Cian Harries has still proven to be a valuable option at the back for Bristol Rovers.

With 16 matches at the back for the club this season, he has proven to be solid when needed. However, the 25-year-old has found himself as a substitute more often than not this campaign and could be off for nothing in the transfer window.

Anssi Jaakkola

The shot-stopper has not been the go-to man inbetween the sticks for Joey Barton's side this season, managing only four appearances and no clean sheets yet.

The 35-year-old has mainly found himself used as a backup instead and could finally leave the club after joining them back in 2019 from Reading.

Junior Brown

He only joined in the summer from Scunthorpe but having failed to break into the first-team reckoning on his one-year deal, he could be straight back out of the club again.

With just six league games to his name so far, the 32-year-old has not been a mainstay in the side by any means and may need to move on to get more regular playing time.

Alex Rodman

Rodman has featured even less than Brown, making just four League Two appearances this campaign so far.

The winger has been with the club since 2018 and has featured in nearly 100 games for the club since then. However, the 35-year-old has fallen down the pecking order and just can't get any playing time with the club now. With his deal running out, he's likely to become another free agent this summer.

Trevor Clarke

Clarke joined the side last summer from Rotherham United and there may have been higher hopes for the 24-year-old than what he has delivered at the club so far. He made nearly 100 appearances in Ireland before making 20 appearances for the Millers.

With Joey Barton's side, he has managed even less. The left-back has only played six times in the third tier and with his deal running out too, he could be set for a swift exit.

Cameron Hargreaves

He's spent the majority of this season playing his football in the National League for King's Lynn Town - and that suggests his deal might not be renewed.

The 23-year-old last played for Rovers back in 2021 and although he featured prominently, he has since had to head to Chippenham Town and then his current side to get gametime. With his deal set to run out, he might need to find another new club this summer.

Lucas Tomlinson

Tomlinson is another who has had to play away from the club this season, spending time with Gloucester City rather than staying with the League Two outfit.

He's struggled to play for Joey Barton's side even before these loan spells though and with the 21-year-old set to have his contract run out this summer window, he might have to find a more permanent location elsewhere soon.

Luca Hoole

He's been arguably one of their most exciting players this year and they won't want to let him leave in a hurry - but unless they offer him fresh terms at the club, he could be on his way out.

He's managed 27 league games this year, with one goal and two assist despite predominantly playing as a right-back for the side. Considering he is just 19-years-old, he might be one worth keeping too but they'll need to move fast to sign him up.