Western Daily Press (Saturday)
Rovers boss Barton has not spoken to free agent
JOEY Barton admits that he is yet to hold direct talks with the possible free agent signing for Bristol Rovers he alluded to a week ago – and the manager does not believe a deal will go through.
Barton has confirmed several times since the end of the transfer window that he is open to adding a free agent forward to his squad, with several places available in his group under the EFL’s squad limit rule.
A week ago, Barton revealed that he had been made aware of the possibility of a signing and he intended to hold talks to explore it further, but no progress has been made since.
“I haven’t spoken to him this week,” Barton admittedly. “Nothing new. I felt it was kind of a long shot. He hasn’t signed for anyone yet or anything like that, but we’ve got to focus on who we’ve got here.
“The thing is, lots of people make contact with you and until you speak directly to people, you don’t quite know what the lay of the land is, but, for us, we’ve got to focus on the boys in the building and getting them organised to go and take maximum points on Saturday.”
Rovers made ten signings in the summer and Barton is satisfied with the deals that were competed, although he has said he wanted one or two more additions before the transfer window closed.
However, he says he is planning on the premise that a deal will not be agreed with the player in question, although he says the door is not completely closed.
“(I) never do,” he added. “For me, we’re always looking to add to our group if there is quality out there, but as of yet all I’ve heard are noises and people saying, ‘He might be available.’
“As of yet, I haven’t had a direct conversation with anyone. For me, I’m living our life as if that’s not going to happen.”
Barton, meanwhile, can see “light at the end of the tunnel” as Bristol Rovers’ injury woes start to ease, although no players are due back to full fitness in time for today’s game against Accrington Stanley.
Rovers will benefit from the return of defender Bobby Thomas and midfield man Jordan Rossiter from suspension, but Josh Grant, Lewis Gibson, James Gibbons, James Connolly and Josh Coburn remain on the injury list.
Defenders Grant and Gibson are the closest to making a return from their respective knee and calf injuries, with full-back Gibbons not far behind as he recovers from a foot stress fracture. Centre-back Connolly is likely to be out for a little longer than the rest after sustaining a stress fracture in his back.
Barton said: “You can see the troops starting to return, albeit it doesn’t really affect us for Saturday’s game, but you can see light at the end of the tunnel with those boys.”
In the short term, Rovers’ defensive ranks remain stretched. Thomas’ return from suspension is welcome, but Luca Hoole is away on international duty after being called up to play for Wales under-21s.