Bristol Rovers man’s Champions League dreams dashed as transfer plan up in air

Bristol Rovers defender Trevor Clarke is set for a spell on the sidelines after suffering an injury.

The 25-year-old is on loan at Shamrock Rovers until November, but is set to miss the next four months. It will see him miss the opportunity to play in the Champions League, with the League of Ireland outfit set to face either Buducnost Podogorica or Breidablik.

Clarke - who rejoined Shamrock on loan in January - has made 15 appearances for them, and has registered our goals and three assists. One of his teammates include Rory Gaffney who was a cult-hero during his time at the Memorial Stadium.

Clarke’s loan boss Stephen Bradley said: “Out for a couple of months at least, which is disappointing but hopefully his recovery and rehab is not too bad.”

The left-back’s time at the Mem has been plagued by injury, but last summer he was awarded a two-year contract, before being told he could leave as Joey Barton couldn’t ‘trust’ him. Clarke remained until January, and went on to make 14 appearances before returning to his native Ireland.

Clarke’s injury could scupper plans of a permanent return to Tallaght Stadium. He is expected to return to action in September, with the season concluding in early November, which is when his loan expires. As to whether Clarke will make his loan permanent is yet undecided.

Speaking to The Irish Sun last month, Clarke said: “To be honest with I’m not 100 per cent sure what the plan is.

“My focus is just staying here at Shamrock Rovers, just playing week-in, week-out. I’m obviously happy here, I’m enjoying my football again. I probably haven’t been this happy since I moved away.

“So coming back home was a big thing for me. . . just being around my family and I’m just enjoying my football again. I’m getting a lot of games and chipping in with a few goals and that always makes it that little bit nicer.”