Bristol Rovers rivals try Portsmouth transfer trick as Leeds Utd coach rejects Reading

Bristol Rovers will this week find out their 2023/24 schedule, with the fixture release date moving ever closer.

The EFL will this week provide to the public the full 2023/24 League One campaign on Thursday, June 22. Rovers - also involved in the EFL Trophy and Carabao Cup, will find their cup ties on the same day.

Rovers are to begin their pre-season next week, and face Melksham Town on Friday, June 30. Joey Barton was hoping for up to five new faces for the first day of pre-season but so far no new players have been officially confirmed.

Here’s the latest headlines from around League One

League One clubs aim to replicate Portsmouth trick

Conor McMenamin is a target of several clubs in English football’s third tier. The 27-year-old was linked by Football Insider to clubs like Peterborough United, Northampton Town, Leyton Orient and Stevenage.

McMenamin is currently on international duty with Northern Ireland, which is impressive given he plays in the NIFL Premiership. St Mirren are also said to hold an interest, as well as Gillingham.

Should the four League One teams be interested, they could be hoping to replicate what Portsmouth are trying to do with Terry Devlin, which is try and unearth some untapped gems. Devlin joined Portsmouth last week from McMenamin’s club Glentoran, though Devlin is 19-years-old, and is only just starting out in the game.

Northern Ireland and Ireland has been a gold mine for talent that can be bought for a small fee, and either made into a big profit or become a valuable player. The likes of Kevin Doyle and Seamus Coleman came from Ireland, and were a success on the shores of England.

Loan goalkeeper for Exeter City

Former Bristol Rovers goalkeeper Jamal Blackman was let go by Exeter this summer, and now his

replacement looks to have been found. Alan Nixon posted on his Patreon that Aston Villa are ready to green light Viljami Sinisalo’s move to St James Park. Sinisalo is from Finland, and has had loan spells at Ayr United and Burton Albion.

Reading manager rejection

Reading’s search for a manager will go on after The Mirror reported that Karl Robinson has rejected their offer. Robinson was at Oxford United last season, but was sacked, and then worked under Sam Allardyce for four games at Leeds United. Reading are on the search for a new manager after parting company with Paul Ince towards the end of the 2022/23 campaign. Noel Hunt was appointed caretaker manager but could not stop them from being relegated.

The Royals had been in talks with former Middlesbrough and Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder, but talks collapsed. Reading have also been charged with rule breaches by the EFL, and have until the end of the month to respond.

Oxford close in on Millwall signing

Oxford United - one of the busier teams in the transfer market - are closing in on the addition of Millwall attacker Tyler Burey. Burey played 24 league matches for Millwall last season and got a goal and an assist as the Lions missed out on a play-off spot. The South London Press reported on Saturday that a bid had been accepted, and now his move to the Kassam Stadium is nearly complete.

Barnsley manager set to leave

Losing League One play-off finalists Barnsley are set to lose their manager Michael Duff. The 45-year-old is wanted by Swansea City and according to Football Insider, a deal has been agreed. Swansea need a replacement for Russell Martin, who is waiting to join Southampton, but the deal is being held up.

The Tykes could also lose their defender Mads Andersen, with Football Insider reporting that Luton Town have opened talks to sign the Danish centre-back.