‘Main thing...’ - Scott Sinclair maps out his plans for Bristol Rovers after emotional return
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Scott Sinclair has described his homecoming at Bristol Rovers as a ‘special moment’ after his return this week.
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Hide AdThe winger completed a sensational move back to the club where it all started for him on Tuesday. He could be in line for his second debut with the visit of one his former clubs Plymouth Argyle on Saturday.
Sinclair made two first team appearances off the bench, then moved to Chelsea aged just 16 after the then Premier League champions were impressed with his early promise.
He said: “When I left, I was only around the first team at such a young age and then I left to go to Chelsea. I had my journey going to various clubs, and now I’m back so it’s special.
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Hide Ad“It’s strange but at the same time it’s exciting, I’m really excited for my next chapter, my next challenge and I’m very happy to be back.
“It’s a great touch to come back and be part of it now. It’s to go out and enjoy my football, I’m an experienced pro and the main thing is to be happy playing. I’ve played at the highest level and I just want to be in a position where I can be expressive and add something to the team.”
The former Man City and Celtic man was released from Preston North End at the end of last season after two-and-a-half seasons in Lancashire. Sinclair had been training with Chelsea after failing to sign with a club after the season had started.
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Hide AdHe had been keeping himself fit whilst training with the West London side and later trained with Rovers. Joey Barton has stated he had been impressed with
Sinclair added: “It was quite easy since I finished the season with Preston I’ve been out of the game for what feels like a long long time.
“I wanted to get back into it and come back and give back to the fans what they gave to me when I started as an eight year old boy.”
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Hide AdThe thought of retirement and winding down his career has not entered his mind after joining Bristol Rovers. Sinclair had no doubt in his mind he wanted to continue playing, and says he had no thoughts of ending his career.
He said: “I still feel like I’m very far from retirement, even though my age is creeping up but I still feel like I’m nowhere near retirement and have got a lot more to give, physically and mentally.
“It’s a case of enjoying my football, if I’m enjoying it I’m always going to be playing no matter where. Once that enjoyment starts going then it’ll be time but I still love the game and I’m still enjoying it.
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Hide Ad“I've still got that drive and hunger in me, that doesn't go. I'm at the stage now where, no matter what level, I want to enjoy my football and be happy. For what I've done in my career, it's about being happy now and enjoying my football. Wherever I am in my career I'm always going to put pressure on myself because I want to do well.
“But I’ve got to an age now where I can feel I can still give and I can give the experience to the younger players and add that to the team. It’s a young squad so I can always put onto the younger players what I have achieved and give that experience.”
Sinclair’s announcement came on Tuesday before the EFL Trophy match with Swindon. The deal was concluded too late for him to make his debut in the week but now there is an anticipation that he could make his debut against Plymouth.
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Hide AdPlymouth are bringing over 700 fans to the West Country and were the first loan club Sinclair played for when he joined Chelsea as a youngster. The Pilgrims are top of League One and have had a terrific start to the campaign.
A cameo appearance of 30-minutes had been spoken about by Barton earlier in the week and all eyes will be on the team sheet come two on Saturday afternoon.
“I think any club I make my debut against would be special, hopefully it’s a perfect one and we get the win,” he said,. “I went to Plymouth and that was my first loan spell when I was at Chelsea and it was a good one.”
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