Luke McCormick plan outlined as Bristol Rovers coach reveals year-long pursuit

Rovers’ newest signing may not make his debut against Shrewsbury Town
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Luke McCormick will not be rushed into making his second Bristol Rovers debut, reveals assistant coach Andy Mangan.

Mangan was filling in for pre-match press conference duties in the absence of manager Joey Barton who was celebrating the birth of his fourth child.

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The assistant coach, who has overseen first-team affairs in Barton’s absence, worked with McCormick, albeit for a short period in McCormick’s first spell.

Signed from Wimbledon for an undisclosed fee, fans are keen to see the former Chelsea youngster in the flesh, having never watched him play live as his time at the Memorial Stadium was spent when games were behind-closed-doors.

There may be a slightly longer wait however for fans to get a glimpse of the midfielder, as he gets himself match fit.

McCormick hasn’t played a competitive game for Wimbledon this season, sitting out their opening six matches, which has him needing game time to build up his match fitness.

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Asked about when he might play, Mangan responded with: “It would be too soon to put him in right now, he’s had a strange time at Wimbledon. We’re going to build him up.

“I think it would be the right thing to do to put him straight in. We have to look after the boy and he has signed three years, there is no rush.

“We will be training him the correct way, building him up, we have an unbelievable sports science team here, we will be led by them.

“He will probably be wanting to play on Saturday but we probably have to hold him back a week or two.”

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The arrival of McCormick sees the midfield area bolstered with another new face, though he is more attack minded.

Boosted by the likes of Sam Finley, Jordan Rossiter, captain Paul Coutts and Glenn Whelan, McCormick will be expected to play a slightly advanced role.

Antony Evans, who signed a three-year deal this summer, has assumed the role as their central attacking midfielder.

The two could find themselves alternating between roles and taking turns for set-pieces given their individual qualities.

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“He is another good player,” Mangan admitted. “He’s a midfield player, he can play in the eight, the four and he can also play in the wide positions as well.

“He’s a good type of player, he arrives in the box at the right time; he scores goals, his energy levels are incredible.”

Barton’s right-hand man was also keen to stress his thanks to the club for their determination in bringing the player back to the club.

It had been hoped that Rovers could re-sign McCormick despite their relegation to League Two last year, but he ended up remaining in London, signing a permanent deal with the Dons.

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Enduring a second successive relegation, the opportunity to re-sign the midfielder became available but they had to break down Wimbledon’s rearguard having stood strong in negotiations for the past two months.

A similar tale to his first spell at overs, McCormick was one of the plus points of an otherwise dismal season, scoring and assisting seven goals in 40 appearances for a relegated side.

Praising the club’s staff, Mangan said: “I am really pleased. A massive credit goes out to our recruitment team and Tom Gorringe for supporting us. Not only for trying to get him last season but to stick with that for a full season, even after the season that Luke has just had.

“I know he has had a frustrating time there at AFC Wimbledon, but he has stuck with it, the club has stuck with it and good things have happened, we have signed him.

“We are absolutely delighted, the boy is a really good player. I don’t believe he’s fulfilled his full potential yet, he’s got loads more to come. We are delighted to try and get it out of him.”

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