Three decisions that could be as significant as any signing for Bristol Rovers this summer

It has been a summer of consolidation at Bristol Rovers, with a focus on solidifying the foundations laid in their promotion to League One. A new deal for Antony Evans, the return of James Connolly and even a renewed contract for the manager himself, Joey Barton, have been agreed.

While the additions of John Marquis, James Gibbons and Jordan Rossiter have strengthened the group, there are internal matters to tend to that are of equal importance if the Gas are to keep the nucleus of their squad and build on their success.

James Belshaw, Luca Hoole, Paul Coutts and Trevor Clarke are among the promotion-winning players to earn new contracts in recent months, and there are other players who deserve to be rewarded for contributions to Rovers' success.

Aaron Collins, Sam Finley and Harry Anderson are all midway through two-year deals, and they are precisely the types of players and characters the Gas should be centring their long-term strategy around.

Collins has emerged as a fan favourite after an uncomfortable start, taking 19 games to get off the mark but since that memorable night in November – the FA Cup win over Oxford United – he has not looked back. The former Forest Green Rovers striker finished the season with 18 goals, with his final five proving priceless.

Without his match-winning second-half hat-trick that snatched a dramatic victory at Rochdale on the penultimate weekend and the brace that followed on that incredible final day, the Gas would have been running the gauntlet of the play-offs or missing out on the top seven altogether.

He has developed rapidly in a Rovers shirt, and after turning 25 last month he is also at a perfect age, entering his physical prime with scope for honing his craft from a tactical