Bristol Rovers have confirmed that midfielder Josh Grant has signed a new one-year contract at the Gas with the option of a further 12 months.
Grant missed the whole of last season with knee issues and has been limited to just 66 appearances in all competitions since signing from Chelsea in the summer of 2020.
The 24-year-old however remains a favourite player of Joey Barton’s, and the Rovers manager has maintained his team are a better side with Grant part of their midfield and has been keen to keep him part of his squad. Indeed last year, Barton branded Grant his “favourite player” at the club.
"Josh Grant is my favourite player by a mile," Barton said. "His football IQ is top of the class and he gets ribbed by the lads for that because I have to tell Josh once. Sometimes I don’t even have to tell him, he just knows the next progression.
“He’s that clever. He’s that smart in terms of football IQ. You definitely want him on the park at every moment because he coaches the other players out on the pitch and he’s a great player as well which helps.
"But I think he can really go to the top level. I think he’s capable but we’ve got to build his body to deal with that. He’s worked really hard in the off-season.”
Grant is capable of covering a variety of positions having operated as a defensive midfielder, full-back and wing-back and offers tactical flexibility and versatility in selection, when fit.
There was some consideration that he may make a return to first-team action towards the end of last season, having trained for several weeks, but Barton didn’t want to risk him with the focus on keeping him available for 2023/24.
Grant is the first of two contract decisions Barton hopes to have closure on before the start of pre-season with Rovers remaining in talks with midfield colleague Grant Ward.
SIGN UP: To receive our free Rovers newsletter, bringing you the latest from the Mem
READ NEXT:
