The released Championship and League One centre-midfielders that Bristol Rovers could sign for free

Bristol Rovers are in the market to strengthen their squad and central midfield is another important area

Bristol Rovers released their retained list last week, leaving their squad on a whole looking a slight thin in a number of departments.

Experienced midfielder Glenn Whelan was released after a year at the club, despite Barton’s intentions earlier this month to keep the midfielder. He could be one of the players that could reappear over the summer with the door not closed on some releases but this could be a decision to move closer to his family in the latter years of his career.

Also exiting the Memorial Stadium was Jon Nolan, who after joining in January, played just 26 minutes in the quarters, and didn’t even get to grace the home turf. He was released by Ipswich Town in January but didn’t get a look in due to the strength in the centre of the park.

It leaves Rovers slightly thin in a position where they looked strong last year. Currently they have Sam Finley, captain Paul Coutts and utility man Josh Grant in that position, whilst the out-of-favour Zain Westbrooke is also on their books. There are different kinds of central midfielders, some are defensive minded and do the nitty gritty stuff whilst others focus more on the attacking side of things.

Either way it is a position that will definitely need looking at given that Antony Evans is out of contract with talks ongoing whilst Elliot Anderson has returned to his parent club with a return perhaps unlikely given the long list of suitors and Newcastle’s desire to run the rule first.

Below are some CM’s from the Championship, League One and League Two that have either been released or are opting to leave their clubs this summer.

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