Signings the transfer priority for Joey Barton but exits likely for Bristol Rovers in January

The January transfer window looms large for Bristol Rovers with the month of trading sure to play a defining role in the outcome of the season for Joey Barton's Gas.

In his first window of recruitment, the manager got some things right, with under-the-radar signings James Belshaw, Connor Taylor and Antony Evans becoming surprise stars and his overhauled squad is improving gradually.

But Barton would be first to admit 17th place at Christmas – with a game in hand on several clubs – and 33 goals conceded is not where he wants his team to be.

There are some gaps to fill in his squad and the obvious focus of the upcoming window will be the one or two additions at either end of the pitch that could transform the Gas from a mid-table side to a promotion contender in the second half of the season.

But there are possible outgoings to consider, too, with some players' futures looking uncertain and Barton needing to keep the number of outfield players aged older than 21 in his squad to a maximum 22 by the end of the window.

So there are plenty of decisions to make and plenty of complex cases to decide, meaning a potentially unpredictable window awaits the Gas.

Here are some of the players who could depart BS7...

Mark Hughes

The veteran defender has been on the road to recovery from a troublesome Achilles issue that has ruled him out of action since September, and until a few days ago it seemed highly likely he would play a part in the second half of the season for Rovers.

But reports emerged over the weekend that Hughes is close to joining forces with old friend Steven Schumacher, who has just taken charge of League One Plymouth Argyle.

Hughes, who has used his vast experience to mentor Rovers' young defenders while putting time into his UEFA A-Licence qualification while he has been out injured, is wanted by the Pilgrims in a coaching capacity.

Bristol Live understands Schumacher does indeed want to lure his former Bury and Stevenage teammate to Home Park, and it appears likely that Hughes will make the move to Devon in due course.

Barton will be disappointed to lose a good man with significant nous to share around The Quarters, but if injury is going to prevent him from making a significant impact on the field then Rovers certainly could be getting more bang for their buck.

Although Barton had big plans for Hughes to be the cornerstone of his defence, injury has prevented that from being the case and a move to Home Park dugout for the 35-year-old has merits for all parties.

Zain Westbrooke

The manager made no secret in the summer window that Zain Westbrooke, one of few survivors from Ben Garner's tenure, was available to leave Rovers in the summer.

As one of the higher earners in the squad but not central to the manager's plans – with Paul Coutts, Sam Finley and Glenn Whelan becoming the core of his midfield – it was logical for Rovers and Westbrooke to part ways.

But acceptable offers for the 25-year-old were not forthcoming. Westbrooke has some unfortunate factors holding him back in that regard.

He is clearly a talented, cultured footballer, but not suited to League Two's chaotic, messy and physical games.

He also has 18 months remaining on his deal at the Mem and his performances in League One last season – admittedly in a deeply flawed and struggling side lacking a finisher to fully profit from the chances Westbrooke created – so third-tier teams may be hesitant again to take a chance on him.

But a player of his age and ability needs to be playing far more for the sake of his own career. He has just three League Two appearances to his name, all from the bench.

The cameos he has put in, particularly in the EFL Trophy, have been steady but not enough to force his way into genuine contention when all of Barton's options are fit.

Westbrooke needs a move and Rovers could do with moving him on. Both parties are sure to try again in January.

Luke Thomas

A few weeks back, the writing was on the wall for the winger as Barton made clear Thomas was in the last-chance saloon at the Mem, with a return to parent club Barnsley on the cards.

Barton was brutally honest in his criticism of the 22-year-old after missing a glaring chance to secure victory at Salford City in November, and he doubled down a few days later, revealing he had already tried to send Thomas back to Oakwell before the end of the summer window, just weeks after he signed.

The manager has been frustrated with Thomas' fitness levels, ordering him to do a "mini pre-season" away from the first-team squad in September.

Thomas improved after that training regime, registering a pair of assists in the win over Carlisle United but he was back in Barton's bad books weeks later after the draw at Salford.

Barton's public criticism divided opinion among supporters, but the manager believes he has got his desired outcome, with Thomas impressing in a bright cameo in the thrilling win over Rochdale on December 11.

"When I said what I said in the press, that was the response I was looking for," Barton said after that game, with Thomas helping clinch the game with an assist.

Barton continued: "Publicly I drew a line in the sand with him. He had two responses to that - don’t take it on board and go back to his parent club or he listened to what we were saying and understood what the message I was trying to send to him was and respond in the correct manner.

"When I put him on in the game, you could just see he was moving at a different intensity than what he was moving at before.

"After I critiqued him publicly, we had four days off and he came in and put work in. He came in with the coaches and the S&C guys and he put some extra work in and that’s what has got him in the right frame.

"If he keeps doing that, his ability is so great that he can do anything he wants. He is really that good of a player and that’s why clubs have paid £1million-plus for him."

Six starts and no league goals are less than what Rovers had expected from Thomas, but Barton feels he has this fine talent on track and geared up to be impactful in January and beyond.

However, Thomas' time at the Mem has been turbulent, so a January exit for the former Derby County winger cannot yet be ruled out.

Cam Hargreaves

With just one appearance in the first team and three EFL Trophy outings this season and his contract ending in June, the midfielder's time at Rovers appears to be coming to an end.

Hargreaves has shown promise without delivering the performances and consistency to justify regular selection in Barton's first team, particularly with the logjam of more experienced options ahead of him in the pecking order.

At 23, in the real world he is young, but in football terms, he is occupying one of the 22 outfield player spots for over-21s and Barton will believe he can find a more influential player for that spot in January.

Hargreaves has spent time on loan at National League South side Chippenham, and he could be loaned out again next month, or he could seek a permanent exit from the Mem should the right opportunity arise.

His loan to the Bluebirds was extended by a month on December 9.

Zain Walker

The winger is in a similar position to Hargreaves, but he has the benefit of being four years younger, meaning he has more time and opportunity to break through at Rovers.

But, after playing 11 League One games for the Gas last season, first-team opportunities have been few and far between this year, making just two appearances in the EFL Trophy.

He spent time at King's Lynn Town in the National League on loan before joining Hargreaves at Chippenham, only to suffer an injury 38 minutes into his debut. He was ruled out for several weeks with a muscle problem.

When Walker returns to fitness, he is likely to be loaned out again.

Lucas Tomlinson

The midfielder has spent more than 10 years at the club, coming through the academy, and he inked a one-year contract extension in the summer with hopes of breaking through into the first team having made a smattering of appearances over recent years.

But with Rovers disbanding their under-23s this year, Tomlinson's only chance of playing has been away from the eyes of Barton and his staff.

Tomlinson has played regularly for Lee Mansell's Gloucester City since joining on loan, and that deal has been extended until the end of the year.

The 21-year-old Bristolian's time at Rovers is likely nearing an end, with his only realistic playing chances away from the Mem.

Antony Evans

We absolutely hope this isn't the case, but it is not impossible that an aspirational League One side puts Rovers in a difficult position by making a cash offer for one of their star men, and with just six months left on his contract it would be hard to rebuff a serious offer.

Sam Nicholson is also in a similar situation, having shown the ability to play at a higher level and entered the final months of his contract.

It may be in Evans' interest to stay until the end of the season because he has clicked at the Mem and he is very likely to be playing League One football next season, with or without Rovers, so what's the rush? More lucrative offers could await him as a free agent.

Rovers, meanwhile, must be looking at ways they could possibly tie the playmaker down to a longer contract.

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