Joey Barton makes Bristol Rovers transfer admission as waiting game enters final stages

Joey Barton believes Bristol Rovers will be rewarded for their patience in the transfer market with the Gas manager optimistic there could be movement into the club this week, as his wish for wingers increases with every game.

Rovers have made six new additions to the squad so far this summer, in defence, midfield and attack and although Barton said last week he would still like six new faces, that number now appears to have been revised to five, unless there are significant outgoings.

One area of the field that appears to be an area of focus for Barton and his recruitment department is in attacking wide areas with the Gas yet to replace either Elliot Anderson, Luke Thomas or Sam Nicholson from last season, with that particular trio worth 12 goals and 15 assists in League Two.

That lack of offensive width was emphasised at Fratton Park on Saturday as Rovers starting XI against Portsmouth didn’t contain a single natural wide player, outside of right-back Luca Hoole, who was stationed at centre-back, while Harry Anderson has been mainly filling in at full-back this season.

Rovers would love to take Anderson back on loan but he continues to be used by Eddie Howe in the Newcastle United matchday squad, albeit without using him yet this season. Thomas was considered an option earlier this summer but talks have since all-but ended due to the winger playing his way back into contention at Barnsley.

“Yeah, we’re short. We’ve lost three wingers in Elliot Anderson, Luke Thomas and Sam Nicholson and we haven’t really replaced any of them,” Barton said, in the wake of their 3-1 defeat on the south coast.

“We’re short in that department and we’re fully aware of that and the owner is fully aware of that and we’re aware of that as