After winning promotion from League Two on the final day of the 2015/16 season, manager Darrell Clarke will be looking to bolster the central midfield department of his squad.

Rovers already have an extremely talented squad, full of young prospects and experienced players, but the central midfield department is looking empty, with Chris Lines, Liam Lawrence, Lee Mansell and Ollie Clarke the only realistic options for those midfield roles, with Jay Malpas looking far from ready to step up to the first team just yet.

The owners have promised that considerable financial resources will be on offer, and with League 1 and 2 clubs looking to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Bournemouth and Burton Albion, Darrell Clarke will be given the license to spend big to gain a third promotion in 3 seasons.

With several new additions in the centre of the park seeming plausible, here are THREE central midfielders who would undoubtedly improve Bristol Rovers.....

 

Jake Hessenthaler

Jake HessenthalerJake Hessenthalerd

Gillingham's talented young playmaker burst onto the scene last season with some outstanding performances in the middle of the park, and his versatility, which allows him to play at holding, central or attacking midfield, could be very appealing to Darrell Clarke.

Rovers could have to pay up to £500,000 to land the 22-year-old, but it could be a wise investment, with Hessenthaler looking like a real prospect for the future.

Tom Soares

Tom Soaresdds

The former Stoke midfielder has been at Bury since 2012, when he was signed on a free transfer, and has gone from strength to strength during his time at Gigg Lane.

The 29- year-old provides a wealth of experience, and could be the perfect partner for Chris Lines in the centre of the park next season.

Soares has the perfect blend of pace and precision that makes up the perfect League One playmaker, and with Bury in financial disarray, he would be available for a modest fee.

Jake Reeves

Jake ReevesJake Reeves

The 23-year-old dynamic midfielder is a player Darrell Clarke will know well, with the AFC Wimbledon having caused his side trouble several times last season in League 2.

Both sides eventually won promotion, with the Dons going up through the Play-Offs, and Reeves was arguably the key cog in their promotion challenge.

Likely to be valued at around £100,000, Rovers would certainly be able to afford the former Brentford and Swindon man too.