Bristol Rovers have a number of players who are out of contract in the summer, and the uncertainty of their futures could have an impact on their performance between now and the conclusion of the season.
With seven different players’ contracts expiring this summer, Rovers manager Matt Taylor will need to find a way to keep his team motivated while the future at the Memorial Stadium remains uncertain.
Let’s take a look at which players will see their deals come to an end in June, and therefore right now are leaving Rovers come the summer.
Scott Sinclair
Scott Sinclair, a former Swansea City and Manchester City winger, might leave his boyhood club for the second time, with his Rovers contract scheduled to expire at the end of the season.
Last January, the forward signed an 18-month contract with the Gas, extending his spell at the club after leaving Preston North End in 2022.
Sinclair, who came through Rovers’ youth at the age of nine, has not played regularly for the club this season.
With only 11 appearances and two goals in League One, and no time on the pitch since October, you can anticipate him to leave the club in the summer.
George Friend
The former Middlesbrough player joined Rovers at the start of the season, but has battled to establish himself in the team thus far in League One.
The 36-year-old signed a one-year contract in the summer and appears unlikely to stay with the club beyond this year if he does not get more playing time at Memorial Stadium.
John Marquis
Marquis, a 31-year-old striker, has been an important player off the bench for Rovers this season, but his contract expires in the summer, and his goal return has been below standard.
The English forward signed a two-year contract with the club in the summer of 2022, which will expire at the end of the current season.
With his age and current attacking productivity, there is no expectation that he will continue at the club after the season, and the Pirates will most likely release him when his contract expires.
Sam Finley
Rovers captain Finley’s contract expires at the end of the season, and he is one of the players the club should consider keeping.
Finley signed a new contract with the club in September 2022, keeping him at Rovers until the summer of 2024.
The club captain has been a regular starter for Bristol, and they will most certainly seek to sign him to a new contract before the League One season ends.
Losing the 31-year-old may be a major loss for the Pirates, thus many expect him to be granted a new contract to stay with the club for at least another year after the season ends.
Jordan Rossiter
Injuries may have ended former Liverpool midfielder Jordan Rossiter’s career with Rovers.
The 26-year-old has not played for the club since December 2022 due to a meniscus injury, which could ruin his football career if he does not heal.
The midfielder’s contract with the club expires at the end of the season, and manager Taylor has warned that Rossiter will not play again this season due to his ailments.
While the club may allow the player to practice with them while he recovers from his injuries, it is unlikely that he will be offered a new contract since it is unclear when, if ever, he would be able to return to the field.
Lewis Gordon
Rovers grabbed former Brentford defender Gordon on a free transfer when he was released by the Premier League team in 2022, signing him for two years.
The Scotland under-21 international was a significant player in his debut season, appearing 39 times in League One and helping the Pirates avoid relegation with a 17th place finish.
However, he has shared the spotlight at left-back with Friend this season and is no longer seen as a major member of the starting lineup.
With Friend expected to leave at the end of the season, it seems prudent for Rovers to grant the 22-year-old a new contract to continue his career in Bristol.
Luca Hoole
Wales Under 21 International Luca Hoole joined Rovers in the 2021/22 season, however he could leave the club at the end of this season.
In February 2022, the defender signed a two-year contract extension with the club, which will keep him there until the summer of 2024.
While he has fallen out of favour with the Pirates this season, the club will most likely want to sign the 21-year-old to a new contract to see how he develops in the future.
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