Pablo Martinez leaves Bristol Rovers to join Lee Mansell’s Gloucester City on loan - makes winning start

Bristol Rovers utility man Pablo Martinez has joined Gloucester City on loan until the end of the season.

The 21-year-old has appeared on the bench on numerous occasions this season, however he has only played 45 minutes of league football this season, coming on as a second half substitute in the 4-2 victory over Rochdale back in December.

In that game, the former Welsh youth international conceded a penalty to allow Rochdale to peg the Gas back to 2-2, having been 2-0 up.

He had a better showing in his first match for Gloucester as on his debut as they won 2-1 away at Curzon Ashton with Martinez playing the entirety of the match.

There are ten games remaining in their season as they currently sit 17th in the division, with the side eight points clear of safety, whilst they are also on a good run of form

Martinez played a run of games in midfield towards the end of last season, and despite relegation to League Two, his form impressed many Rovers fans, with some even tipping him to feature heavily in League Two for Joey Barton’s side.

It wasn’t to be for the youngster who instead was limited to EFL Trophy appearances, as well as a place as an unused substitute, many of times this season. He now joins fellow loanees Ollie Hulbert and Lucas Tomlinson at Lee Mansell’s Gloucester City.

Hulbert has excelled at National League north level, scoring eight goals in 21 starts for Mansell’s men this season. His teammate Tomlinson, has also featured regularly, making 19 appearances, 15 of them being starts, whilst he also scored last month in their 2-2 draw with Darlington.

As well as current loan players, former under-23’s goalkeeper Liam Armstrong is on their books. The 21-year-old was part of Mansell’s development team side and he was brought to Meadow Park for his first venture into senior level football. Armstrong himself has been an understudy this season, but has most recently taken his place between the sticks, starting their last four games, keeping two clean sheets.