10 free agent midfielders Bristol Rovers could consider following Jordan Rossiter injury

Joey Barton admitted that Bristol Rovers are unlikely to enter the free agent market, but could he be persuaded into changing his stance?

In the aftermath of the 2-0 defeat to MK Dons earlier this month, Barton admitted that he hadn’t looked at who was available but that he was ‘happy’ with what they’ve got. The January window saw five new arrivals come in but there was a desire for more.

Sam Finley is back in the fold after serving a three-game suspension and whilst he is yet to taste victory yet, Lamare Bogarde has shown some early promise after his deadline day loan move from Aston Villa.

An injury to Jordan Rossiter, however, that could spell an end to his season could open up the chance for some movement in the free agent market. The signing of Grant Ward in the earlier part of the January transfer window shows that if a player is unattached and available, then they can get an opportunity here.

Central midfield is an area that could do with some recruiting in despite Bogarde and Ward’s arrivals, so here’s who’s available and whether they would be worth signing.

Dale Stephens

Stephens has been without a club since leaving Burnley last summer. He’s been in the Premier League for the last six seasons and so he would be tough to secure.

Ryan Edwards

Edwards left Japanese second tier club BusanIPark after joining from Burton Albion. He began his career with Reading and has also featured in the Scottish Premiership, he’d be a reasonable target.

Divine Naah

Naah is an attack minded-midfielder, whilst Rossiter is a combative, tough-tackling midfielder but is still an option Naah started his career at Manchester City and had numerous loan spells in Europe, with his last club being Kauno Zalgiris.

Jordon Mutch

Mutch has been in Canada, South Korea, Norway and most recently Australia since leaving Crystal Palace in 2019. Mutch started at Birmingham City, and played for Cardiff City and Queens Park Rangers, both in the Premier League.

Tom Carroll

Carroll is still a free agent despite being released last summer. Barton worked with Carroll when the two were players at QPR.

Quinn McNeil

McNeil was born in ireland but has played in the USA for the whole of his career, he played for Charlotte FC, and made 11 appearances, before being loaned out to lower league club Charlotte Independence.

Graham Dorrans

Dorrans was last at Scottish club Dunfermline Athletic, but was released in September. The 35-year-old is most known for his time at West Brom, playing more than 150 times. Dorrans was once a reported target for Barton at Fleetwood Town.

Youssouf Mulumbu

Mulumbu last played for Congolese club Saint-Eloi Lupopo, so it could be ulikely that he returns to England. The 36-year-old played for West Brom and Norwich in his career in England, and also played for Kilmarnock and Celtic in Scotland.

Robbie Burton

Huddersfield enquired about Burton in January after he was released by Dinamo Zagreb. He was highly rated at Arsenal, but needs to find a club that can kickstart his career.

Emerson Hyndman

American midfielder Hyndman is without a club after being released by MLS club Atalanta United. The 26-year-old played for Bournemouth in the Premier League, and also played for Rangers, and could be a good short-term option.