Forgotten man gets Joey Barton backing to fill Bristol Rovers’ talisman gap

Zain Westbrooke may still have a part to play at Bristol Rovers after a much-needed backing from his manager Joey Barton.

The 25-year-old has been a surprise inclusion in the Gas’ pre-season schedule, playing a key role against Stoke City, accumalating 84 minutes of match action.

It was the final match before the League One opener with Forest Green Rovers on July 30 and his extended role in the match is perhaps a strong indication that he could be in line to start next week.

A few midfield options such as Sam Finley, Anthony Evans and Paul Coutts were contending with a bout of illness however presenting him that opportunity.

First-team boss Barton said: “Zain has had a tough spell in terms of his time at the club that hasn’t gone how he would have wanted it.

“I think everyone is aware of his qualities and he definitely does have some qualities on the ball.

“There is stuff off the ball that we are telling him to work harder at and in pre-season, he’s done nothing but enhance his claim.

“He’s a good lad, he’s got a great attitude and has trained properly every day. I said at the start of the season it’s a blank slate for everybody.

“Some of the lads don’t want to hear that as they had great seasons last year but for lads who didn’t have the season they wanted, it’s all you can ever ask for and he did superb.

“We are light in that position and it’s where I’m looking to strengthen. If he performs that way he gives me food for thought.”

Westbrook is into his last year of his three-year contract with the club that he signed after joining for an undisclosed fee back in August 2020.

Signed for an undisclosed fee from Coventry City of whom he won the League One title with, he arrived with big expectations in addition to the Championship interest that was registered in him before his move to the Memorial Stadium.

His arrival was meant to push Rovers forward as a play-off contending team but instead they were relegated, though Westbrooke did play 42 times, getting six assists and two goals in that ill-fated campaign.

As Barton stamped down his authority on the squad and made it his own, the midfielder was lost in the mix of it all and struggled for game time.

He was sent out to Stevenage where he would reunite with Paul Tisdale, though he would suffer the same fate and was sacked just three months into his tenure, with Steve Evans taking over.

A contrast in styles meant that Westbrooke’s time at the Hertfordshire club ended with a lack of playing time, which was the whole purpose of making a January exit.

But despite not being considered for League Two football last season, he has put himself back in the picture to play in the third tier as the wait goes on for newer signings.

Asked whether Zain has a future at the club, Barton responded: “For sure he is a player under contract. It hasn’t gone for him right last year when he went out on loan. It didn’t work out as he went from Tisdale (Paul) to Steve Evans which is going from night to day.

“It’s definitely two contrasting football views and Westy suffered in that. For him, it just hasn’t gone to plan but now he’s in a good group with solid foundations.

“We know the qualities he brings, he’s a very technical proficient footballer but the physicality and the other sides of the game is where he has to develop.

“I thought tonight against Championship level opposition he was superb. Certainly first-half, he was up there with our better players.”