Joey Barton on the chances of re-signing Cardiff City defender in the summer

Joey Barton expressed his thanks to Cardiff City for allowing James Connolly to spend time with Bristol Rovers.

The 20-year-old has been with the Gas since January after joining on a six-month loan from the Bluebirds, becoming a key part of the side that has risen through the division since the turn of the New Year.

Connolly, who hadn’t played a minute of senior football, was thrown into the deep end and made his professional debut against Peterborough United in the FA Cup.

Since then, the centre-back has become a regular feature in Barton’s side and has made 21 appearances this season, almost half a season.

Before joining Rovers, Connolly was captain of Cardiff’s under-23 side and having been signed by Morison, was eager for a chance in their first team.

Instead, he was sent out on loan by the one-time FA Cup winners and has since built up his reputation that will put him in good stead when he returns to the Welsh capital.

But with the Wales Under-21, qualified defender’s contract is up at the end of the season, there could be an opportunity to work with him again.

“We want to get this season finished and if there are opportunities to do different things, we would want to sit down and certainly be a part of those conversations,” said Barton in his pre-match press conference ahead of their match with Forest Green Rovers.

“At this moment, we’re thankful for the ability to have those guys on loan along with Luke Thomas, the other lads like Sion Spence and Elliot Anderson. They’ve been real quality additions and added to our group. We’ve been lucky in the loan market.

‘First and foremost we have to thank Cardiff for allowing us to loan James. He was desperate for games at the time.

“Steve Morison, their manager was saying he was champing the door and asking to be involved. He was pushing hard to get into the Cardiff group.

“It didn’t play out for him, we had the opportunity to bring him in and he has hit the ground running.”

Connolly scored his first goal in senior football on Easter Monday, as he put Rovers in front in their crucial 3-1 win over Port Vale.

The goal helped put the West Country outfit into a better position for promotion with three games left of the League Two season.

Connolly along with Taylor have played regularly with one another in the absence of Alfie Kilgour, whilst they have also displaced Cian Harries from the side.

Barton said: “James making his debut at 20, we felt he had a real constitution. He has enormous potential and he then managed to get in the team with Connor. To be fair to the two of them they’ve not looked back.

“He was kind of thrown in the deep end in the Peterborough game. There were a lot of people on that day that it further enhanced the credibility of the group.

“I think they have flourished. The challenge for them was more clean sheets and scoring goals. Connor gets the winner in the Bradford game and James gets us ahead in the Port Vale game.

“They are developing all the time and their game is coming on all the time. And for us, we’re absolutely delighted with him.

“Like Connor, he is somebody else’s player and we’re forever thankful for them trusting us with their development and letting us take them on loan.”