Bristol Rovers view deadline-day signing Lamare Bogarde primarily as a midfielder, according to first-team coach Andy Mangan, who believes the Gas are in a stronger position than at the start of the January transfer window.
Alongside left-back Calum Macdonald, Aston Villa prospect Bogarde was one of two late additions before Tuesday's transfer deadline. Bogarde, a 19-year-old Dutch youth international, has joined on loan until the end of the season and has played in defence and midfield in Villa's youth setup.
But Mangan says the Gas are planning for him to play in the middle of the park, with a debut likely at some point during Saturday's League One clash against MK Dons at the Mem.
"It is lucky for us that he can play in both of those positions and he is comfortable in both of those positions," Mangan said. "That is actually one of the things we took him for because he is so versatile.
"We will decide where he is going to play, but at the moment we are thinking of him as a six or a four to help the lads out in the midfield area because Jordy (Rossiter) is out for a period of time and he is a massive loss because he is excellent for us. He is so critical and crucial in everything we do.
"So Lamare might be able to shift in there, but he can also play either side in a back three. I’m not sure whether he can play in a two, we haven’t seen that, but he has huge potential and he is another exciting player that we are very lucky to have at our football club. I can’t wait to see him play."
At the end of trading on Tuesday, the Gas finished the window with five players in and five players out, as well as keeping hold of prized asset Aaron Collins and star loanee Josh Coburn. Mangan is confident the squad is in a better place now than it was at the start of the month.
"I think we are in a much stronger position," he added. "Alfie Kilgour wasn’t getting the minutes he deserved. Great kid and I’m gutted to see him go, but he just wasn’t playing or getting the minutes he wanted.
"Harvey Saunders is the same, Zain Westbrooke unfortunately wasn’t part of the plans. Bobby Thomas is someone who we loved and we cared about, but he decided to move on and there is nothing we can do about that because he was not our player. And Trevor Clarke was another one who just wasn’t contributing much, so he has gone on to do better things.
"We hope they have wonderful careers and we’re delighted we have had a part to play with them, but the lads who have come in, Wardy, top player. Jarell, I think everyone knows the ability he has got, magnificent player. Ellery, really good goalkeeper and he will push Belly (James Belshaw).
"We have got Lamare, who is a Rolls Royce and the fans will see he is a top player. He is really well thought of at Aston Villa. And we’ve got Calum Macdonald who has come from Stockport and we knew him from Tranmere. He is a really good, solid left-back.
"We have got competition for places. We’ve got five in and five out, but the five out weren’t contributing. These five will contribute towards the cause.
"We also hit the bar on a few and, obviously, I can’t name names because they have gone to other clubs, but we are actually in for the top players at the top clubs, so that is really exciting, not only as a coaching staff but also for the football club that people think we’re doing the right job to send their best young players to us."
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