Bristol Rovers sell out two fixtures as Derby close to signing four Championship players

Bristol Rovers are continuing with their warm weather training camp out in Portugal as they prepare for the upcoming season.

They were joined by John Marquis late last night who jetted from England to the Iberian Peninsula to join up with the squad.

A few fans have taken up the opportunity to see their team in a foreign land but no game has been scheduled having failed to nail down an opposition.

Instead, for those who have jetted out there, an open training session will be held where supporters can mingle with players, getting autographs and photos.

So what’s the news back home and could we expect any more signings ahead of their split friendlies next Tuesday against Bath City and Chippenham Town?

Here’s the latest stories from around Bristol Rovers and their 2022/23 League One rivals.

Bristol Rovers sell out two games

The first two homes of the season for Bristol Rovers have sold out as anticipation grows for the new campaign.

Forest Green Rovers - the season opener - for the Gas has sold out and it may be unlikely that any additional tickets appear on sale after the away side took up their full allocation in what will be their first match at that level.

Next to sell out was their second home match of the season against Oxford United, where there is a bit of spice.

Former striker Matt Taylor is on their books and he didn’t receive the best reception when he returned to the Memorial Stadium.

No information has yet come from Oxford as to what kind of allocation they will take up but as it is one of their closest games of the season, expect a sizeable following.

The capacity of the Memorial Stadium has been limited at under 9,000 as a result of advice from a safety advisory group.

Derby close in on quartet signing

Derby County are close to making a quadruple swoop as the Rams continue to beef up their squad for the upcoming season.

After their ownership saga was brought to an end after local businessman David Clowes took over, they have been busy in the transfer market.

After the signings of Joe Wildsmith, Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and Tom Barkhuizen, another four players could arrive at Pride Park.

Telegraph journalist John Percy says that the Rams are close to completing the signing of free agents Conor Hourihane, James Chester and David McGoldrick.

They are also hoping to sign James Collins from Cardiff City, also on a free transfer.

All four players were playing in the Championship last season with McGoldrick helping the Blades to a top six finish.

MK Dons closing in on Cambridge United striker

MK Dons are poised to complete the signing of former Reading forward Sam Smith. Smith left the club in 2021 and joined Cambridge where he was a success last season, scoring 21 goals.

According to Alan Nixon, a freelance journalist, he posted on his Patreon that Smith is a target of theirs and are willing to pay a six figure sum to bring him to Stadium MK.

That is in the same week that Connor Wickham could be heading to the Championship as he goes on trial with the Royals after his deal expired with Liam Manning’s side.

Republic of Ireland forward set to move to Lincoln City

Lincoln City are set to sign attacking midfielder Danny Mandroiu from League of Ireland outfit Shamrock Rovers.

Mandroiu wasn’t involved in the Irish side’s Champions League qualifier against Hibernians and wasn’t needed as former Rovers striker Rory Gaffney made two and scored a goal.

The Imps are expected to pay a nominal fee for the player according to The Irish Mirror with the player out of contract at the end of their season which comes in November.

The 23-year-old has got seven goals and three assists this season in addition to the 15 he scored last year.

New goalkeeping coach at Fleetwood Town

One time Wales international Owain Fon-Williams has been appointed as the new goalkeeping coach at Highbury Stadium.

Fon-Williams played in Scotland and will have come across their new head coach Scott Brown during his battles with Celtic.

Upon his move, he said: “I am delighted to be here at Fleetwood Town and I just can’t wait to hit the ground running.

“It’s an exciting time to be here, working alongside the new management team and, of cours,e a very talented group of goalkeepers – who have impressed me so far this pre-season.”