15 free agents Bristol Rovers could still sign including former Chelsea and Liverpool stars - gallery

Bristol Rovers could consider dipping their toes in the free agent market once again...

Bristol Rovers this week allowed former Liverpool defender Daniel Ayala to train with them at their Almondsbury training ground.

Ayala is without a club after leaving Blackburn Rovers in the summer, and this news is the first we've heard about what his next steps are in football.

The 32-year-old has mainly spent his career in the Championship, and has a respectable footballing CV, playing for some other big clubs. He turned out for Nottingham Forest, Middlesbrough, Derby County, Hull City and Norwich City. He made 23 appearances for Blackburn last season, and so you could safely describe him as a Championship calibre centre-back.

Defence has been an area of concern for Joey Barton as he has seen Brentford loanee Tristan Crama suffer an injury, whilst summer signing James Wilson has also suffered a knock. It's seen Connor Taylor and utility man Josh Grant have to pair up, and so far that's had mixed success.

Rovers have already dipped their toes into the free agent market this summer, having signed former Bristol City and Fulham striker Chris Martin. A failed move for Jonson Clarke-Harris on deadline day as well as letting Ryan Loft leave meant they were short up top, and with Martin remaining in the Bristol area following his days at Ashton Gate, the move made sense.

Should Rovers consider going into the free agent market again though for a centre-back? Ayala is an option, but there are also many others to choose from, and it's important not to be rash before making a decision. Flick through the pages here to see those still without a club this summer and tell us if you think they should come under Joey Barton's consideration.

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