Bristol Rovers had a major success in the loan market last season as Joey Barton utilised his extensive contacts book from his playing career.
Taking another team's players can sometimes come as a risk as you can build your team around them and then they are gone in a flash. There is also sometimes a question mark about their commitment as their future may lie away from their loan club.
That can’t be said for the likes of Newcastle United’s Elliot Anderson or centre-back pair Connor Taylor and James Connolly however.
Taylor and Connolly formed a strong connection during their time together as a youthful partnership that was pivotal in getting the Gas out of League Two and back into the third tier.
Both players have returned to their respective clubs and whilst there is a hope they could come back to the Memorial Stadium for a second spell, it is out of their hands. They must wait to see what Cardiff City and Stoke City want to do with the pair who both could be vying for a place in a Championship XI next season.
That leaves Rovers with a task of preparing for life in League One, either with or without two of their loan stars next season with pre-season shortly approaching.
Barton has proven Rovers is one of the best platforms for a young player to arrive and show case their worth and they are likely to go down the same route again.
Here, we look at 10 centre-backs that were plying their trade in the third tier last season that Rovers could consider moving for with some more realistic than others.
1. Kelland Watts (Newcastle United)
Just come off a season-long loan at Wigan Athletic where he won the League One title, playing a total of 26 times in the Lactics success. Had a loan spell at Plymouth Argyle the season before and was a regular feature, so with 60 appearances under his belt he’s more than capable of slotting in. Parent club is Newcastle United who Joey Barton has a good relationship with. Photo: Michael Regan/Getty Images
2. Callum Doyle (Sunderland)
A League One Play-off winner at the age of just 18-years-old, not many teenagers will have had a better season than he has had. The Manchester City centre-back played 39 times in the League and play-offs for Sunderland and is destined for big things.The step up to the Championship may be too much for the youngster at his age but the Black Cats could return for him. Photo: Alex Burstow/Getty Images
3. Rarmani Edmonds-Green (Rotherham United)
Another promotion winner which makes it a tough task of persuading them to stay in the same division. Edmonds-Green is wanted by Rotherham United again after playing 28 times for the Millers as they finished second. It’s up to Huddersfield Town what they want to do but loaning to a league rival doesn’t often turn out well. Photo: Henry Browne/Getty Images
4. Sam Sherring (AFC Bournemouth)
Spent time on loan at both Accrington Stanley and Cambridge United last season. Made a combined amount of 24 appearances for both sides. At 22-years-old, needs a good loan move like the one he had at Torquay United to give him the best chance of breaking in at Bournemouth. Photo: Julian Finney/Getty Images