Inigo Calderon has confessed that extending contracts of Bristol Rovers players whose current deals are set to expire at the end of the season is something that he hasn’t yet thought about.
Aside from loanees, Rovers have 10 players with contracts that run out this summer with James Wilson, Grant Ward, Jack Hunt, Scott Sinclair and Chris Martin some of the stand out names.
Wilson in particular has been colossal for the Gas this term with the defender yet to miss a single minute of League One football. Meanwhile, the likes of Ward and Hunt have enjoyed improved minutes under Calderon.
However, as Rovers continue to fight the threat of relegation with 14 games remaining in their league schedule, the Gas head coach remained reserved over the possibility of handing out contracts before the end of the campaign.
“No, not really,” the Spaniard told Bristol Live when asked if extending contracts has been considered. “There’s still two months [of the season left]. It’s too early for me to say.
“Listen, I understand. I’ve been in the situation where you finish your contract at the end of the season. So listen, for me it’s important that everybody tries to do their best and that will put them in a better place.
“If it’s here in the club, happy days and if it’s not here in the club, if they do right or the team does better, it will be better for them.
“So I’m not going to start talking about that because there’s still a long time and a lot of things to do but I say the most important thing is everybody has to improve and if we improve as a team, it will be better for everyone.”
Supporters will naturally have their own opinions on who they believe should have their terms extended while there are also players most could guess won’t be at the football club come next season.
Luke McCormick and Jerry Lawrence, currently on loan at Forest Green Rovers and Hungerford Town respectively, and third-choice goalkeeper Matt Hall are the only players set to be out of contract in BS7 this summer under the age of 30.
Meanwhile, versatile forward Jevani Brown was included in his first matchday squad at Rovers since April last year for the 2-0 defeat at Wycombe Wanderers last week following the 30-year-old’s return from his loan spell at Notts County. Although it had looked as though his Gas career was effectively over earlier this campaign, Calderon has insisted that Brown has a chance to play in blue-and-white quarters between now and May.
There will no doubt be a decision to be made regarding January signing Romaine Sawyers at the end of the season based on how the experienced midfielder fares. So far, the 33-year-old has made five appearances for the Gas and is currently out injured. However, having played in all four divisions as well as being a Saint Kitts and Nevis international, Sawyers was brought in to be a positive influence off the pitch as much as on it.
The major decisions will apply to the likes of Wilson, Ward, Hunt, Sinclair and Martin who are currently regular fixtures in Calderon’s side.
Wilson is arguably in line to be named Rovers’ player of the season having been a major presence at the back, enjoying a significantly improved attendance record compared to last term. However, the centre-back did also celebrate his 36th birthday earlier this week and the club’s ethos of mainly recruiting younger players is expected to continue.
Ward is another who struggled with injuries last season but has been available for the vast majority of the season. The 30-year-old received reduced game time earlier in the campaign under Matt Taylor but had started nine consecutive matches under Calderon before his recent ankle injury that ruled him out of last week’s trips to Wycombe and Northampton.
It has been pretty clear to see of late that the Gas boast a stronger midriff when they have Ward starting matches.
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Hunt has also enjoyed improved game time under Calderon lately, although the right-back had to wait the best part of a month following his return from a calf injury to actually feature. The 34-year-old came in for the 3-1 win over Peterborough and seriously impressed, subsequently starting against Stockport County, Burton Albion and Northampton while being rested for the Wycombe game.
Then in the front line, Martin has been a regular since returning to action after breaking his fibula in August and has netted three goals. Meanwhile, although starts have been harder to come by, Sinclair is still Rovers captain and scored last time out against Northampton.
Bristol Rovers players whose contracts expire this summer
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Matt Hall (21) – goalkeeper
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James Wilson (36) – centre-back
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Jack Hunt (34) – right-back
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Romaine Sawyers (33) – midfielder
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Grant Ward (30) – midfielder
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Luke McCormick* (26) – midfielder
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Jerry Lawrence* (19) – midfielder
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Jevani Brown (30) – forward
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Scott Sinclair (35) – winger
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Chris Martin (36) – striker
*currently out on loan