As teams continue their pre-seasons, the 2022/23 League One season is just a few weeks away.
Some clubs have already played their first few fixtures to help them prepare for the 46-game slog that lies in front of them, and that’s just the league games.
There is still a whole two months to go until the summer transfer window shuts and whilst the core of most squads have been assembled, some players are still unsure about where their futures lie.
Bristol Rovers have used the free agent market in recent years and brought in James Gibbons from Port Vale after his contract expired there.
Joey Barton says that his team are still five or six signings from where they want to be and there are still some gaps to be filled in. James Norwood, released from Ipswich Town is a reported target.
There are also some players from some of the league favourites in Derby County, Ipswich Town, Portsmouth and Sheffield Wednesday, who have been busy themselves and allowed players to leave.
The departures of Brett Pitman and Leon Clarke leave them with three recognised strikers in Aaron Collins, Harvey Saunders and Ryan Loft. Loft standing at six foot two can be considered the only out-and-out striker, whilst Collins is a bit more of the Roberto Firmino mould.
Whilst the team go through some drills in a week away in Portugal, Barton’s recruitment team will be hard at work to identify targets.
There is a mixed bag of players on offer but the preference would probably be a tall target man in the mould of perhaps Loft with a bit more experience.
Some have plenty of suitors lined up for them, whilst others will need their agents to sell them to some prospective clubs. All free agent strikers are listed below - would any of these be of a good fit at the Memorial Stadium?
1. James Norwood
The obvious place to start is James Norwood. He’s a known target of Bristol Rovers and after three years at Ipswich Town he’s available. Joey Barton was blown out of the water when he wanted him at Fleetwodo Town but now he seems a bit more of a realistic prospect. Got almost 30 goals during his time in Suffolk and could be the battering ram needed.
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2. Colin Kazim-Richards
Derby County have a new owner and so this may be different as they could extend his stay at the club. Turkey international Richards scored three goals in the Championship last year and has had a quite interesting career. Stretchered off with an injury in March, so there will need to be a bit of caution when it comes to managing his game time.
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3. Oumar Niasse
Everton spent a lot of money on Niasse but his only real chance in the Premier League was in 2017, scoring eight goals in 22 games. Loan spells to Hull City and Cardiff have followed since. He had a short term contract at Burton Albion last year, netting three goals in 12 games. Barton’s a boyhood Everton fan and may be the man to get a fine tune out of the striker.
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4. Aaron Amadi-Holloway
An academy product of Cardiff City and later Bristol City, AmadiHolloway has been to Australia and India in his career but is now back in the British Isles. Failed to score for Burton last year but got some goals in League Two on loan for Barrow. Just needs one season to excel but at 29 is time against him?
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