Sinclair ‘could be a big player for Rovers’

JOEY Barton believes moments like that at the Mem at around 4:20pm on Saturday are what will ensure Scott Sinclair remains in a Bristol Rovers shirt beyond January, writes Sam Frost.

Sinclair scored his first ever Rovers goal on his first full start for the club against Rochdale, almost 18 years since he made his debut appearance in blue and white quarters as a late substitute, aged just 15.

The 33-year-old has signed on a short-term contract until the new year, with both Sinclair and Barton admitting they want to take a longer and closer look at each other before committing to a longer deal.

From Sinclair’s perspective, in what could be one of, if not the, last contract in his decorated career, he needs to know Rovers is the right environment at this stage of his life. For Barton and the Gas, they require evidence that the expenditure on an extended agreement will be financially sound, with the veteran needing to prove he can make a sustained impact beyond the romance of his return to north Bristol.

The early signs look positive. After a brief cameo against Plymouth Argyle, in the week he rejoined the Gas, Sinclair then played 33 minutes at Derby County and caught the eye, while he was the best player on the park in the 80 minutes he was on the field against Rochdale in the FA Cup first round victory.

“For us, it was a case of getting him in the building,” Barton said. “He’s enjoying his football here, he’s obviously playing well, and he’ll only continue to improve with the regular rhythm of games. I’d imagine, if he’s playing well and he’s enjoying it, it gives us a better opportunity of keeping him beyond January.”

Sinclair’s first goal for the club was, fittingly, in front of the Thatchers’ Terrace, with his family present, and scratched an itch that has lingered ever since those early baby steps as a professional.

After his time at Rovers was cut short, with Chelsea signing him in summer 2005, Sinclair has gone on to play for Aston Villa, Manchester City and, most notably, Celtic. Although not as fast as before, Barton said: “You don’t actually need speed if you’ve got a really quick mind ... He’s still alright by the way - he’s looked after himself superbly, but obviously the amount of experience he’s got in the mind.”

Speaking after the Rochdale win, Barton added: “He’s played for some big, big football clubs, so for us to add him to our group at the time we added him is a really big positive and he’s shown why. I thought he was exceptional. He got the minutes in the tank and, over the course of this season, I think he’s going to be a big player for us.”