Ex-Bristol Rovers, Celtic, Man City winger trains with Chelsea amid links of possible return

Scott Sinclair is training at Premier League club Chelsea as the winger prepares for his next move.

The 33-year-old is free to find his next club after being released by Championship club Preston North End.

Sinclair spent two-and-a-half seasons with the Lilywhites but is still without a club despite his pedigree at Premier League, Championship and Scottish Premiership level.

To keep himself in the best condition, Sinclair has headed to Cobham to train at Chelsea, who signed him as a youngster from Bristol Rovers.

Sinclair posted a photo of himself in full Chelsea training gear on his personal Instagram account with the caption: ‘Getting ready for my next move…’ along with an egg timer.

To make things interesting, affiliate outlet The Scotsman made a small claim that there had been reports about a possible return to the Memorial Stadium.

Gas manager Joey Barton revealed that he had held talks with former Liverpool and Newcastle United striker Andy Carroll before he returned to Reading.

Barton is also in discussions with a secret free agent after reports of reuntiting with a former Rangers teammate Joe Dodoo were closed down.

Discussions were held on Wednesday evening with a player who’s identity is yet to be revealed and a move could take place should the financial package and terms suit both parties.

In his pre-match press conference ahead of the match with Lincoln City, Barton said: “But then at about 7 o’clock last night I got a phone call, ‘do you know such and such?’ and they gave me a bit of information that I didn’t know and it definitely made my ears pick up.

“And I went, ‘okay, that could work for us’. I’m not going to tell you who it is because it might not happen but I’ve got a phone call to make just to sound someone out and say, ‘I’ve heard this, does this sit with your worldview?’

“It’s someone who’s on the free market. What happens is lads out of contract in September, you become more appealing.”

Sinclair, who was born in Bath, started his career at Bristol Rovers, joining the club as a nine-year-old. He became the second youngest player to feature for the first-team as a 15-year-old, playing against Leyton Orient in 2004.

He made two senior appearances but in July 2005, he moved to Chelsea. Both clubs had to go to a Football League tribunal and they received an initial £200,000 for the winger with it rising should he meet various clauses.

Sinclair made just five appearances during his five years in London, spending time on loan at various clubs like Crystal Palace and Birmingham City, before finding a permanent home at Swansea City. His goals in the Championship play-off final helped the Welsh side to promotion to the Premier League in 2011 and he was later signed by Premier League winners Manchester City.

His playing time was limited and loans at both West Bromwich Albion and Aston Villa were to follow before ending up at Celtic. Playing under former Blues academy coach Brendan Rodgers, he had his most successful period as a player, winning nine trophies, as well as personal accolades such as Celtic’s Player of the Year.

Sinclair’s time in Glasgow came to an end and he moved to Preston in January 2020, leaving with 14 goals in 85 games in all competitions for the Lancashire club.