Bristol Rovers are set to complete the signing of Connor Taylor from Stoke City, according to reports.
Bristol Post report that a bid of £300,000 has been accepted by the Potters, and his return to the Memorial Stadium should be confirmed shortly Stoke have signed Luke McNally on loan from Burnley, and now that is finalised, Taylor’s move surely be confirmed very soon.
Should all go to plan, Taylor will have at least two-three days training under his belt with some familiar teammates, as well as some new faces. Centre-back has been area of concern for Rovers, and so far they’ve signed Tristan Crama from Brentford and James Wilson from 2023/24 League One winners Plymouth Argyle.
A new goalkeeper looks set to make his competitive debut as well with Brentford lending Rovers the England Under-20’s goalkeeper Matt Cox. He’s not played many competitive games, but was back-up keeper to David Raya last season, and now he’s getting his opportunity at Rovers.
We’ve also seen Luke Thomas return to the club, having left play-off finalists Barnsley, for a three-year deal at the club he was once on loan at. The length of his deal shows that he’ll be staying around hopefully for a strong promotion push this year. George Friend and Matt Hall have also joined, but Friend is sidelined and Hall is expected to be third choice for the time being.
Here’s what we think the starting XI could look like against Portsmouth at Fratton Park on Saturday, which includes a formation change from what we’ve seen in pre-season.
9. CAM: Jevani Brown
Looks to be a good signing for Rovers. He’s got a few goals in pre-season and has already got an understanding of Collins and Thomas’ game. | Getty Images Photo: Pete Norton/Getty Images
10. RW: Scott Sinclair
Sinclair had a good pre-season, in which he scored a couple of goals. He started most of the games and so you’d imagine he’d get the nod. | Getty Images Photo: Michael Steele/Getty Images
11. ST: John Marquis
Alright, this would be quite an attacking XI and leave Rovers with not many attacking options on the bench, but Marquis got a brace last week and it’d be good to start him. | Getty Images Photo: Michael Steele/Getty Image
12. NORTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - MARCH 19: James Belshaw of Bristol Rovers in action during the Sky Bet League Two match between Northampton Town and Bristol Rovers at Sixfields on March 19, 2022 in Northampton, England. (Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images)
Bristol Rovers’ promotion almost never happened due to the threat of abandonment... (Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images) | Getty Images