'Deal agreed' - Bristol Rovers midfielder set for exit with ex-Chelsea starlet heading to National League

The January transfer window is now past the midway point, and it's been a relatively quiet one so far, with a number of clubs seemingly opting to keep their powder dry until the summer.

That said, the Tractor Boys have still managed to get a big signing over the line, securing a move for ex-West Bromwich Albion and Brentford midfielder Romaine Sawyers earlier this month.

Meanwhile, the club have also been linked with a move for in-demand Cardiff City forward Michael Reindorf, while 23-year-old left-back Bryant Bilongo has sealed a loan move to League Two outfit Harrogate Town.

Fresh reports have now suggested midfielder Luke McCormick could be the latest player from The Gas to leave the club on a temporary basis, with Football League World suggesting Forest Green have agreed a deal to take the 25-year-old on loan until the end of the 2024/25 campaign.

Why is McCormick leaving on loan?

Regular game time has been a struggle for McCormick of late, with the ex-Chelsea prospect restricted to just two appearances since new head coach Inigo Calderon's Boxing Day arrival at the Memorial Stadium. The report claims that the Pirates' manager is 'seems willing' to sanction the move, as he looks to refine his squad further over the coming month.

McCormick originally arrived at Rovers back in 2020, joining on a loan deal from Chelsea. The Cobham youngster swiftly made a name for himself and emerging as one of the squad's best talents despite the club finishing bottom of League One and sinking into the second tier under Joey Barton.

After securing a permanent move to AFC Wimbledon the following season, McCormick spent one campaign with the Dons. However, he was once again unable to prevent his side from suffering relegation, as the club slipped into League Two on the final day of the 2021/22.

That summer, the Pirates swooped in for the Bury-born talent, bringing him back to the Memorial Ground for an undisclosed fee. In total, McCormick has played 113 matches for Rovers, scoring eleven goals.

Who do Bristol Rovers play next?

Following on from their 3-0 FA Cup third round loss to Premier League side Ipswich Town, Calderon's side will look to go again this weekend when they host high-flying Barnsley.

As things stand, 17 points separate The Pirates in 22nd place from The Tykes who are up in fifth, challenging for a place in May's League One play-offs.

The last time the two sides met, back in November, Rovers ground out a 0-0 draw a Oakwell. It was then down to some nail-biting penalties, and Scott Sinclair, Shaq Ford, Ruel Sotiriou and Chris Martin all coolly scored their spot kicks while The Gas' number one Josh Griffiths was the hero of the hour, saving Josh Earl's effort with an excellent dive down low to his left.

It is worth noting that Rovers haven't been able to beat Barnsley in normal time over the course of their last six encounters, with three draws and three wins going the Tykes' way. The last time The Gas claimed victory over their South Yorkshire opponents was back in 2019, when an Alex Rodman double was enough to see Graham Coughlan's side bag all three points at the Memorial Stadium.

Meanwhile, football pundit Darren Bent has sensationally called for Wrexham to be “thrown out” of the English Football League, if the club continue with rumours plans which could see them secure an intriguing back door route into European competition.