Westbrooke may still have a future at Rovers, says Barton

JOEY Barton insists Zain Westbrooke will be given a chance to fight for his place at Bristol Rovers after the midfielder failed to secure a move away from the club.

The 24-year-old, among Rovers’ highest earners, was effectively transfer-listed by his manager earlier in the window, with the former Coventry City playmaker not central to his plans.

But his salary made it awkward for Rovers to move Westbrooke on, and he was still a Rovers player come the end of the window at 11pm on Tuesday.

He made a substitute appearance for the Gas in their 2-0 EFL win over Cheltenham Town at the Memorial Stadium on Tuesday, and Barton confirmed Westbrooke, pictured, who is under contract until 2023, will have the chance to earn a place in the team.

“Zain Westbrooke’s back in the fold because he couldn’t find himself somewhere to play more consistent football,” said Barton.

“We’ve missed one or two players when they haven’t been available for loan when we thought they would be, or they’ve got interest from higher up the pyramid.

“You’re at that point when you’re just bringing someone in for the sake of it, and Westy can come back into the group now if we don’t take an extra one. He gets a chance of fighting for his place, and the way we played tonight (against Cheltenham) and with the system we played, shirts are up for grabs and we want competition right throughout the group.”

Sam Nicholson and Harvey Saunders were on target in Rovers’ win, and the manager was pleased with his side’s performance.

“Obviously, we’re still a work in progress,” he said. “There’s stuff we’re working on. We tried a few different things and I thought the lads were superb.

I thought they really grew into the game, cerTrophy tainly in the second period. I was surprised to see Sam Nicholson score a header, he’s more renowned for scoring with his feet but we asked him to get in there and get tap-ins, rather than the spectacular ones.

“Getting some young lads minutes and young Jed Ward a clean sheet and making a great save towards the end. I’m really pleased.”