Bristol Rovers first-team coach Andy Mangan has denied claims that former Manchester United, Nottingham Forest and Reading defender Tyler Blackett has been training with the Gas but admits Joey Barton is open to the idea of adding a free agent to his squad, should the opportunity present itself.
Rovers added two players on deadline day - Aston Villa teenager Lamare Bogarde on loan and Calum Macdonald from Rochdale - to take their numbers of signings across the January transfers window to five, but Barton’s squad remains light in the centre of defence.
Rumours had begun to circulate that Blackett, who was released by FC Cincinnati in MLS in November, has been training at The Quarters ahead of potentially signing a contract and could do so after the deadline due to his status as a free agent.
