2026-27 Recruitment Plan for Bristol Rovers

Player Decisions

Retain

Brad Young, Jack Sparkes, Alfie Kilgour, Riley Harbottle, Will De Havilland, Shaq Forde, Joel Senior, Fabrizio Cavegn, Mees Rijks, Joe Quigley, Ollie Dewsbury, Ellis Harrison

Release

Taylor Moore, Tom Lockyer, Macauley Southam-Hales, Josh McEachran, Kamil Conteh, Luke Thomas, Ryan Howley

Loan Out

Ollie Dewsbury

Lose / Sell

Jed Ward, Luke Southwood, Promise Omochere, Isaac Hutchinson

Loan End

Richie Smalwood, Tommy Leigh, Kane Thompson-Sommers, Kofi Balmer, Yusuf Akhamrich

Retained Squad

New Signings

Kriztian Hegyi (West Ham United – loan)

As much as the summer is going to be about Steve Evans being able to bring in players, I think that it will be as much about getting players out the door. One of those that I expect to depart for pastures new is Luke Southwood. With youngster Jed Ward seemingly subject of interest higher in the pyramid and similarly likely to exit, I feel that Evans will want to go and sign a #2 to challenge Brad Young and provide competition. 

A player that I like the look of is Hungarian goalkeeper Kriztian Hegyi. Currently on the books at West Ham United. On loan at MTK Budapest. The 23-year-old has enjoyed a number of loan spells away from The Hammers, and given the form of Fin Herrick as an emerging talent then I don’t see that pathway into the first-team becoming clear any time soon. 

If that remains the case, I feel that he could be an option for The Gas to consider. Indeed, he has played under Steve Evans before a handful of times when the pair were both at Stevenage in their first season back in League One after promotion. At the very least, he has familiarity with Steve Evans and the way that he works. 

He has a year left on his contract and so his time at The Hammers will officially be up at the end of 2026-27. Personally, I think that the possibility of going on loan to The Gas for the year with a view to potentially joining on a permanent deal if and when they get promoted going into 2027-28 may well be of interest to the young Hungarian stopper. Evans has turned to him before, and I wonder whether or not he can utilise those relationships to get him to The MEM.

Ashqar Ahmed (Reading – loan)

When I have watched The Gas this season, one area in which I do think that they could do some work is the wing-backs. While it is a completely different profile to that which they have got in the building, I quite like the look of youngster Ashqar Ahmed as being an option to consider.

In his time in charge of The Gas, Steve Evans has opted to play a system that has wing-backs. Predominantly, Joel Senior has been played on the right-hand side in that wing-back berth, yet I feel that he has perhaps lacked the qualities to excel in that position. As a steady League Two operator? Yes. The energy, power and athleticism to be wholly effective in transition and attacking phases? Perhaps not. 

Ahmed would be coming off the back of a loan spell with Forest Green Rovers in the National League, albeit he has not been a guaranteed starter by way of the fact that Rovers have one of the bigger squads in the league. He is only 18 years of age and so perhaps goes against the more traditional approach that Steve Evans opts for in terms of adding experience, but has played 14 times in League One for The Royals and so is by no means new to first-team football. 

In terms of the skillsets that I would typically look for in a wing-back, I think that Ahmed represents a really intriguing profile. In possession, Ahmed is almost a winger in the way that he wants to get forward, offer an outlet on the overlap, use his pace and running power in attacking space. A great engine. He has the athleticism to get ‘up and down’ in transition. 

When The Gas have turned the ball over, they have perhaps missed that outlet down the right that can particularly exploit the space and carry. Their play out has been rather deliberate. If they are to get the best out of the system that they play then I think having the wing-backs who are more so of that dynamic profile with pace to burn and that can really stretch teams and get them up the pitch is key. 

The youngster broke through into the first-team with The Royals, yet has seemingly fallen out of favour or surplus to their immediate plans. If he is not going to get opportunities in League One, I think that the chance to go and get games in League Two may well be a good option for the youngster.

Dan Butler (Stevenage – free)

I am expecting that Steve Evans will make one or two ‘marquee’ signings during the summer that may help to take Gas from being a capable mid-table side to one that can go and challenge for the top three. 

I think Dan Butler could be one credible option that they can consider as a signing that could help them to do that. Potentially available on a free from Steve Evans’ former side Stevenage having featured sparringly. Potentially not quite at the level for a Stevenage side who harness ambitions of getting promoted to the Championship. Already 31 years of age. 

In terms of his profile, Dan Butler has got a lot of the attributes that you would look for from a wing-back. You want your wing-back to get wide, get good delivery into the forward areas, and look to play forward. He has got a wand of a left-foot, gets pin-point delivery into the forwards, is technically strong, and has got the energy, athleticism and running power to get up on the overlap. 

Butler has played much of his career in the South, with spells at Torquay United, Portsmouth and Newport County prior to joining Stevenage. As such, I think that he would be accepting of the geography of joining Bristol Rovers. 

Ultimately, he is another that has that experience of doing well at the top end of League Two. Played a lot of games at the level, and the one above. A good professional. Played under Evans. His signing will on the one hand provide them with a top-end, League Two left back, yet on the other hand may also get more out of Jack Sparkes in providing him with good competition.

Carl Piergianni (Stevenage – free)

One thing that Steve Evans has shown throughout his career is a willingness to re-sign players he has worked with before. One player that has already been rumoured about a potential move to The MEM and who I would not be surprised to see start 2026-27 in Gas colours is Carl Piergianni.

In terms of his profile, Piergianni is a no-nonsense, committed, aggressive defender that is at his most effective when operating as a box defender. Aerially commanding, physically strong, aggressive in wanting to win the ball and the type of character that you’d definitely want in your corner in the ‘trenches’. He is a proper ‘heart on his sleeve’ type that matters little for being flashy or fashionable, but in terms of doing his job with little effort then he is ideal.

Indeed, The Gas will be one of the favourites to get promoted next season and so putting together a squad that know how to get over the line in League Two is going to be key. Piergianni was part of the Stevenage side under Steve Evans that won promotion from League Two, and so certainly ticks that box in terms of his experience.

Not least, Piergianni is a leader and the exact type of character that The Gas want to build their dressing room around. Even through their struggles, I feel that Rovers have had talented players and it is just they’ve lacked those characters in the group that can act as the ‘glue’ in keeping everyone motivated. Piergianni is a strong orator and communicator, leads from the front, and is the ultimate professional with a superb work-rate and application.

Whilst he is on the books with Stevenage at the time of writing, even in spite of the season that they have had under Alex Revell I do anticipate that he might be let go at the end of the campaign. I think that the general expectation is that Piergianni is one of the four players that Evans has rumoured to have talked to already, and if that is the case then you’d say he is a key ‘puzzle piece’ in their preparations.

Kofi Balmer (Motherwell – free)

Such was the success of The Gas’ January recruitment, I am expecting Steve Evans to – understandably – want to keep together as much of the squad that finished the campaign as he can.

Kofi Balmer is one of those that enjoyed a loan spell with The Gas and played such a key role in the upturn in fortunes that they had in the league under Steve Evans. An imperious figure in the backline as an ever-present since signing on loan, the Motherwell man is seemingly one that Evans like a lot.

Balmer is Evans’ type of centre-back. A good size. Industrious. Really aggressive in his defending. The type of defender that certainly doesn’t taken any prisoners. He has shown himself as being good in the air and a tenacious tackler since signing for The Gas, and especially in a back three where you can afford one or two of the options to be on the more combative side then he is a good fit.

With the defender having been let go by Motherwell in the first place, I expect that the chances of him re-integrating back into the first-team reckoning is rather slim. Instead, it wouldn’t surprise me if the move in January had been with half an eye on a potential permanent deal this summer in any event. Almost like a ‘try before you buy’. Indeed, I am expecting that will happen.

Joe Lewis (AFC Wimbledon – free)

The third centre-back that I would look at if I were Bristol Rovers is Joe Lewis. Currently on the books at League One AFC Wimbledon, I think that he could well be allowed to depart Plough Lane in the summer on a free. If that is the case, I feel that he could represent a smart acquisition for The Gas.

I expect that Evans will put together a Rovers squad that is full of experience of players that have won promotion out of League Two previously, and Joe Lewis is one player that has that tick against the box. He was part of AFC Wimbledon’s squad that got promoted out of League Two under Johnnie Jackson in 2024-25, and was on the books at Stockport County when they won the title.

One of the major attractions – I feel – towards signing Lewis is his character. He has got a lovely energy about him. A positivity that endears himself to the supporters. He has been a fans favourite at AFC Wimbledon, and so that type of character is always beneficial in creating that bond with the supporters.

Adding to that, Lewis has the versatility to play anywhere across the backline. He has been used as a full-back or as a centre-back during his career, and so that represents a useful profile to have in slotting into a side that operate with a back three. I feel that his best position in this Gas side would be as a wide centre-back given he is strong stepping into midfield with the ball.

In terms of his profile, I think that he dovetails quite nicely with the existing Gas defenders. To date, there has been little in the way of responsibility on the centre-backs taking risks or playing out. Lewis – however – is good on the ball, mobile, and someone that can provide that little more craft during the build-up.

Lewis has spent much of his career in the South of the country – and particularly in the South West with tie at Swansea City and Torquay United – and so I think that he would be interested in the geography of this move. Even if he is not a guaranteed starter, I feel that having a defensive player of his profile would be incredibly beneficial to Steve Evans. There will be a fair bit of interest in his services, but I think The Gas could land him.

Richie Smallwood (Tranmere Rovers – free)

One signing that The Gas will definitely be looking to try and get done going into the summer is Richie Smallwood. Surplus to requirements at Tranmere Rovers, the experienced midfielder has been a revelation with Bristol Rovers and one of the key reasons as to why they have managed to stay up. He may have gone quietly about his business and gone under the radar, yet I feel retaining him will be a huge building block for any potential success that they have. 

Steve Evans has typically assembled experienced squads, and so it is perhaps not a surprise to see that they have brought in a player such as Smallwood that can be that leader in the middle of the park. Skipper for Bradford City when they won promotion from League Two. Multiple promotions. Just under 600 appearances. He represents a reliable figure in the engine room. 

One thing that is a trademark of Evans’ management is re-signing players at multiple clubs who he trusts, and Smallwood is another of those. He was part of the Rotherham United side that won promotion from League One in 2013-14. If they are to have a successful campaign in 2026-27, I think much of their success will rely on having an experienced core of players who Evans can rely on. 

While the majority of his career has come in the North of the country, I think that the opportunity to re-join The Gas permanently and be part of a potential promotion might be of interest to Smallwood. He is 35 years of age and so the likelihood is that it will be either a 1 or 2-year deal for his services, but if they can get him back into the club then I can see him being one of the key leadership team for a side with renewed ambitions of going for promotion. 

In terms of his playing style, Smallwood is an intelligent, combative and physically imposing #6. Sits and recycles the ball. Screens the backline. A good ball-winner, and aggressive in the tackle. He may not be the most mobile, but Smallwood is the type that reads the game well, knows where to be positionally in offering himself as an option in possession, and is willing to receive under pressure. 

If he were to re-sign, it wouldn’t surprise me if he ends up getting the armband from Steve Evans. One of the first bits of the business that they need to get done, and I expect they will.

Tommy Leigh (Bradford City – free)

Another player that The Gas will look to sign is Tommy Leigh. He has proven to be a real success after signing from Bradford City, as virtually an ever present. A couple of goals to his name. 

In terms of the type of skillsets that The Gas were lacking prior to Steve Evans’ arrival at The MEM, Leigh has proved a valuable addition. Rovers lacked energy and off-the-ball running, and has got the physicality and athleticism to get beyond the play and press against the ball. He has injected a tempo to their play. He has the ability to drive the ball from deep. Make runs forward and break the lines. A goal-scoring threat arriving into the box. 

Leigh remains under contract with The Bantams, and so getting this deal over the line is perhaps going to be more problematic given that his permanent signing will require liaison of a transfer fee. However, Steve Evans is a shrewd and experienced navigator in the market, and in the same way that he was able to sort a fee for Joe Quigley I don’t think he’ll have much problem in doing so for Leigh. 

Tommy Leigh is the type of player that I think is worth shelling out a fee for. A good age at 26-years-old, and coming into the perceived prime years. He is the type of infectious personality that I feel would be hugely advantageous to have around the group and a player that Steve Evans has openly sighted as being one of his favourites within this Rovers group, and his permanent signing will likely be near top of the agenda.

Aaron Lewis (Mansfield Town – free)

One signing that didn’t particularly work out during the January window is Kane Thompson-Sommers. That will leave an opening in the middle of the park for Evans to strengthen. One option that I feel may well be available on a free transfer is Mansfield Town’s Aaron Lewis. 

In the second-half of the campaign, Lewis has definitely not been a regular component of The Stags’ midfield and as such I expect that he may well be one that is allowed to move on during the summer. I think that Nigel Clough will be looking to freshen up his group and as a result of that there will be one or two casualties. Lewis is 27 years of age, and was part of The Stags’ side in winning 

One of the benefits that I feel The Stags get is that he has the versatility to play in a number of positions. As a full-back. Central midfield. As a winger. While I am confident that The Gas will back Steve Evans healthily in the summer, I think that there is value in having players within the group that are capable of playing in different positions. 

One of the other advantages of signing Lewis is in strengthening the core of the group in terms of knowing how to be competitive at the top end of the campaign and in winning promotion from League Two. That experience is only going to be useful in The Gas managing to go and scale the heights that they want to next term. He may not play every game, but simply having him around the place, getting minutes in key games, a utility option and a professional in upholding standards of the group then I believe that he’s worth a look.

Yusuf Akhamrich (Tottenham Hotspur – loan)

When The Gas managed to sign Yusuf Akhamrich during the January window, there were a lot of reports that The Gas were signing one of the best young talents currently playing in English football. I think it is fair to say that they have seen glimpses of that. Effervescent skill and technical quality. The ability to win a game by himself. He has definitely shown why he is so highly-rated. 

Given the way that Steve Evans wants to set his sides up to play, I think that a player such as Akhamrich would usefully represent the antithesis to that. Evans often looks to play more direct into a physical reference and not taking too many risks with the ball, yet Akhmarich is the type of player that provides that in-possession quality that allows them to be slightly more elaborate and expressive in their approach. 

The young Turk is a skilful, quick-footed, mazy dribbler that displays a real arrogance and swagger with the ball. He reminds me very much of Kofi Shaw when he was at Bristol Rovers. A calmness to play under pressure. Take risks. A somewhat lazy-looking style yet the close control, trickery and flair to create chances out of nothing. He very much plays no-fear football.

Indeed, I think that the signing of Akhamrich over the duration of a full campaign would make The Gas more diverse in their attacking play. He can provide that extra intricacy to play in between the lines. That creativity in the final third to unlock a low block. The trickery and skill to carry and work shooting opportunities from range. They have missed that attacking profile in the #10 positions that can play a little off the cuff, yet Akhmarich has shown he has those qualities. Quick feet. Speed. Excellent close control.

His performances on loan with The Gas will have likely tempted teams from higher in the pyramid, but I don’t see why they can’t keep hold of him for another year. Steve Evans has a good track record for recruitment, and has been able to pull a number of rabbits out of the hat before in this regard. It would definitely be a major coup if they’re able to get him again for a season, but if they could and they can keep him fit then I’d say that is a good way towards helping them on their way to pushing for the top three next term.