Joey Barton makes Bristol Rovers feelings clear after failed Jonson Clarke-Harris transfer

Joey Barton has praised Peterborough United striker Jonson Clarke-Harris following his failed deadline day move to Bristol Rovers.

The 29-year-old could have been lining up for the Gas against the Posh, but instead he finds himself playing against his former club.

Rovers had seen Clarke-Harris as the final piece of the jigsaw following a strong summer transfer window but they could not complete a club record deal for him in time, and he remained at London Road, despite being transfer listed.

Clarke-Harris has remained focus and scored a brace against Mansfield Town in midweek, in addition to the two goals he’s scored against Cheltenham Town and Bolton Wanderers since the move failed to materialise.

His chairman Darragh MacAnthony praised him, and now the manager that was so keen to sign him, has also praised the forward for his conduct.

"He’s been really professional in handling the disappointment of the move and getting back to business for his club," said Barton on BBC Radio Bristol."

"From our perspective, we wanted to make that deal happen, from my side anyway, and nothing changes, He will want to do well for his team and himself and we will have to cancel him out and stop the threat.

“It would have been a huge investment for us.”

Rovers travel to Cambridgeshire with the hope of maintaining the levels set in the 4-1 win against Wigan Athletic last week.

It was a sublime display at the Memorial Stadium last week with four different goalscorers which included forwards Aaron Collins and John Marquis.

Rovers this week announced the signing of former Bristol City, Derby County and QPR striker Chris Martin who signed a short-term deal until January. The 34-year-old is to potentially being viewed as a temporary placeholder for Clarke-Harris whilst Barton mulls over whether to make another move in January

Speaking about the thread that Peterborough will pose, Barton said: “They are multi-facet to their attack, it’s not just Johnson Clarke Harris, they are a really good build-up team, with Kwame Poku and Ephron Mason-Clark they have got some really talented lads in behind them who can cause a lot of problems.

“We have to be a really good version of ourselves on Saturday if we are going to take maximum points.

“After the first five minutes, the Johnson Clarke Harris saga will be parked up, it will be our strongest team trying to beat Peterborough’s strongest team for a valuable three points in the League One campaign.”