Intriguing Bristol Rovers transfer update emerges amid late bid from relegation rivals
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Bristol Rovers’ veteran right-back Jack Hunt has been the subject of a deadline day bid from fellow League One strugglers Shrewsbury Town, according to a report on Monday.
The 34-year-old is “set to stay” at the Memorial Stadium, however, after Rovers rejected a bid from Shrewsbury to sign him, according to Bristol Live. Multiple League Two teams were also alleged to be interest in securing the former Sheffield Wednesday and Bristol City man, but he is now expected to remain with Bristol Rovers for the rest of the season.
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Hide AdRovers manager Inigo Calderon was reportedly “extremely keen” to keep the defender around for the run-in following a highly impressive performance against Peterborough United at the weekend, which was Hunt’s first game for three months due to injury issues.
Hunt’s contract is set to expire at the end of the current campaign, but the Gas have decided to keep hold of him as they look to retain their League One status.
Hunt’s experience could be key down home straight
Hunt shone on his return from a calf injury on Saturday as the Gas earned a potentially vital 3-1 win over Peterborough, a result which saw Rovers leapfrog their opponents in the League One table and put six points between themselves and the relegation zone.
Hunt’s class and experience have given new manager Calderon enough reason to keep him around for the rest of the season, but the club may also have been wary of strengthening a team who remain below them in the table.
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Hide AdShrewsbury are currently 23rd in the table, eight points adrift of Bristol Rovers and Hunt, who has made over 500 senior career appearances, may have helped them to bridge that gap.
Despite recent fitness concerns, Hunt has played 33 times for the Gas since signing from Sheffield Wednesday on a free transfer ahead of the 2023/24 season, scoring three goals.
Bristol Rovers expected to sign striker before deadline
Bristol Rovers are also expected to make some outgoing calls ahead of Monday’s transfer deadline, with a loan move for Cardiff City forward Michael Reindorf in the works.
The 19-year-old striker had been expected to sign for League Two side Notts County, but Rovers appear set to hijack that move with reports claiming that he was heading to the Memorial Stadium to undergo a medical.
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Hide AdRovers have already announced the deadline day capture of young Aston Villa defender Sil Swinkels, who will join the club on loan until the end of the season. The 21-year-old, who plays as a centre-half, was described by Calderon has having “power and technical ability”.
There may be bad news elsewhere, however, with West Bromwich Albion potentially recalling Rovers’ starting goalkeeper Josh Griffiths from his loan spell thanks to the imminent departure of their first-choice shot stopper Alex Palmer, who is expected to join Ipswich Town before the window closes at 11pm. It is unclear whether Bristol Rovers have an alternative goalkeeper lined up for a move with just hours left to make any deals that need to be done.
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