Out-of-contract Bristol Rovers star dealt cruel injury blow but Joey Barton hopeful

Joey Barton has revealed Josh Grant is unlikely to play again for Bristol Rovers this season but wants him to stay this summer.

Grant had been closing in on a return for the Gas, after a long lay-off that has had him sidelined for the last eight months. He has played just 10 minutes of action this season, and after appearing in training in April, there was a hope that he could play a part in the end of season run-in.

The 23-year-old had a knee injury that required surgery, and it is hopeful that the procedure has rectified a problem that has affected him before this season. Grant has sustained a groin issue in training, and with only three games left and the season ending on Sunday, May 7 against Bolton Wanderers, it is likely to be too soon for him to play.

Asked if the plan was still on course for Grant to feature, Barton responded: “No. Josh has had a little tweak in his groin. It’s probably going to kill him by the time he gets back, we’ll be approaching the last embers.

“It’ll be fooillsh to throw him in. Josh needs a really good pre-season and it’ll give him a springboard to go.

“The good thing is his knees are great. I’m disappointed for him because he looked really good out there in his short space. He just felt his groin which is a blow for him. In the scheme of Josh, it’s not the worst thing that could happen and it’s not the worst timing.”

“If him and Jordy Rossiter get a good pre-season under their belt, it’ll be like signing two new players, and two really good players.”

The former Chelsea youngster is one of several players that are out-of-contract at the end of the season. No agreements have been made yet with any of the players, but Grant is someone who Barton would like to keep at the Memorial Stadium, with his and Jordan Rossiter's injury returns described as 'new signings'.

Rovers paid for the surgery Grant underwent and have been patient with him during his recovery with the medical staff working hard to get him back to full fitness. It is hoped that they will be rewarded by Grant accepting their deal.

“Hopefully,” responded Barton when asked about the potential of Grant getting a new contract.

“We’re chatting to a lot of them about it now. They haven’t signed anything yet but Josh knows our feelings on it. It’s Eddy, Tom and their agents to sort that out. The intention from us is to have him with us.

“There is no point paying for his operation and rehabbing him the last 12 months if he goes to sign for somebody else. He may well do that, I don’t know what is out there before him. I’m hoping we get a chance.

Barton added: “He’s only 23 Josh, if he gets to the bottom of these issues, and if you’ve seen with Lewis Gibson, for the second time he’s played more games for us than anybody else.

“We’ve clearly got an ability to get a tune out of certain lads and hopefully Josh has got his best years out in front of him and can look back at the frustration of the two-and-a-bit-years, use that as a springboard to attack the prime of his footballing career.”