Joey Barton is an ambitious manager and isn't someone who wants to stand still for long, and that's been applied at Bristol Rovers. The Gas have secured their place in League One next season, and over the last few games have been experimenting for next season.
Their busy month and run-in, has included battles with several teams chasing promotion to the Championship, and there is an ambition from the 40-year-old to take the club to the second tier after a 30-year absence. It's been a good campaign, and there are some good foundations in place at the Memorial Stadium, such as the form of Aaron Collins who won the League One Player of the Year award.
Last season, the Welshman waited a long time to score his first goal but ended up being top scorer for the season, and he is likely to achieve that feat again this year. His form could obviously attract interest from clubs in a higher division, but with a deal running until 2025, and Collins a fan of Rovers, there is a hope he will remain, but it all depends what kind of offer they could get.
A problem for Rovers is that several loan players will return to their parent clubs, and whilst most have been a success, it will take some talking to persuade them to return again. Rovers want to finish higher than whatever they finish now, but there needs to be an obvious plan in place so these clubs know what their youngsters are going in to.
Here, BristolWorld World takes a look at the 13 players likely to leave at the end of the campaign - and seven others that could
17. Ryan Jones - likely
Jones had a lot of hype when joining from Weston-super-Mare in October 2020 but three years down the line, he doesn’t look like getting in to the frist-team. He’ll be 21 in May, and for his benefit a move to an ambitious National League or National League South side would be good. | Getty Images Photo: Alex Davidson/Getty Images
18. Harvey Greeenslade - could
Bristol-born Greenslade has had two three loans this season with mixed success, at Chippenham and Hereford he played at the sixth tier of English football, and got some experience. He’s now thriving in the seventh tier with Truro who could still get promoted. Another loan spell would be good for the 19-year-old. | Getty Images Photo: Harry Trump/Getty Images
19. Jerry Lawrence - could
No other rising star and academy player other than Jed Ward is close to getting a chance in the first-team, and so Lawrence is likely to get a loan move again this summer. If he can come back with a good loan spell under his belt, he could force his way in to the side. Photo: Dan Istitene
20. Luke McCormick - could
McCormick’s move back to Bristol Rovers hasn’t worked out so far. He’s still contracted to the club for the next few years but will need to impress Barton. | Getty Images Photo: Michael Steele/Getty Images