It’s set to be a critical week for Bristol Rovers, with two League Two games and just seven days remaining in the January transfer window. Sitting 22nd in the table, only one point above the relegation zone, every fixture counts as Steve Evans looks to stabilise a struggling side.
Rovers have already signed five players this month. Ryan De Havilland, Kofi Balmer, Kane Thompson-Sommers, Riley Harbottle, and Yusuf Akhamrich all aged 25 or under. Despite the youth, Evans is keen to add experienced, match-ready players before the window closes.
Director of football Paul Raynor highlighted the plan to replace outgoing loanees with seasoned heads, while Evans has been clear on the need for quality:
“20 minutes. That’s how long it took me to realise this squad needed more experience when I got the job. We need good, solid players in January.”
One target is Dutch striker Mees Rijks, 22, currently in advanced talks with the Gas. If signed, he would further lower the average age of Rovers’ January signings to just above 23.
Evans also acknowledged the difficulty of mid-season recruitment:
“It’s difficult to get good players that will really improve us. Ideally, we want players who’ve had game time. Ryan De Havilland was one of our better players today, but he’s chasing fitness because he hasn’t played much.”
Rovers face several key absences and doubts for their trip to MK Dons, who sit in the final automatic promotion spot. Promise Omochere and Josh McEachran are returning to training but are not expected to feature, with Evans describing their participation for the home game against Newport County on 31 January as “touch-and-go.”
Ellis Harrison has made brief appearances but remains only 65–60% fit, explaining his absence from recent starts. Callum Morton, with his contract entering its final week, faces a fitness-based decision on whether he will remain:
“The decision will rely on the next week or so in terms of fitness. We have to put every 50 pence we have available to players that can help us on the pitch because we need so much help.”
Macauley Southam-Hales has not played since his first-half injury against Notts County, while captain Alfie Kilgour could miss out after being forced off at half-time against Salford due to a late challenge, which Evans described as a “horrendous challenge.” He added:
“He was very, very sore. The referee probably only saw a yellow. When he watches it back, he’ll realise how lucky he was and there may have been a few chosen words from me.”
The Gas now face a pivotal week. MK Dons and Newport County offer the chance to pick up crucial points, while Evans continues to navigate injuries, fitness concerns, and transfer dealings.
The potential return of Omochere could give Rovers a much-needed boost in attack, and any additional experienced signings could provide leadership on a squad desperate to halt their relegation slide.
Every decision in this final week of January may prove decisive for Rovers’ fight to stay in League Two.
