Luke McCormick’s Bristol Rovers status as Joey Barton outlines EFL Trophy plans

Luke McCormick could make his second debut for Bristol Rovers this evening in the EFL Trophy clash against Plymouth Argyle at Home Park.

McCormick is back in Gas colours after joining from AFC Wimbledon on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee after eventually succeeding in their negotiations.

The 23-year-old was their most-sought after signing this window and he has returned to bolster their attack, having had a successful loan spell.

Unlike many signings who are thrown straight in, McCormick wasn’t included in the squad for the 1-1 draw with Shrewsbury Town, as a result of lack of match fitness.

During his time with the Dons, he did pre-season but didn’t play any games in League Two or the Carabao Cup, which has affected his match fitness, as he was sent on his own personal training regime.

As a result, it will take time before McCormick can fully integrate into the first-team squad, but tonight’s match could act as an opportunity to build up his minutes, though rushing him back too soon could aggravate an injury.

Asked whether the former Chelsea youngster could feature tonight, Barton said: “Possibly, he’s asking for them but I don’t know. “He’s done a couple of heavy sessions the last few days.

“He was on the naughty step from the first day of the season starting, which you can imagine if you’re not going to be part of the plans, the manager didn’t want him around, Johnnie Jackson is a good guy but obviously that disrupts Luke’s rhythm.

“He done the pre-season, played some games and then stopped for a three to four week period. We have got to make sure he’s chomping at the bit, obviously, to play in front of the Mem and get at it.

“But we have got a 46-game season, I’ve got Gibbo and Beefy out at the minute, the last thing we need is making the injury list any bigger.”

As to Barton’s hopes for the Papa John’s Trophy, it isn’t a competition that is a priority for him with League One survival the most important.

Rovers were knocked out of the first round of the Carabao Cup by a strike from former striker Tom Nicholls who netted for Crawley Town, which leaves them in three competitions.

They are guaranteed at least three fixtures with the first starting tonight before home matches against Crystal Palace’s Under-21’s and Swindon Town.

A lack of Under-21’s or Development team for the club makes it harder to rotate the side whilst competition rules are in place to ensure sides aren’t under strength which forces Rovers to at least feature a few that played in their last match.

Outlining his ambitions for the competition, Barton said: “I will level with you, I wish we weren’t playing in it.

“Last year we used it as a chance to have a look at things while we were evolving our team, this year if they phoned up and said it’d be cancelled I wouldn’t be disappointed.

“But again, it is an opportunity for some of our younger players and some players who need minutes or are striving for match fitness.

We will get the lads in, we will see where we are and we will pick a team.

“But if I’m a Gashead, and I’ve got energy prices and bills coming, I have to be honest with them, we won’t be prioritising the Pizza Cup.”