Zain Westbrooke admits he had to leave Bristol Rovers for the sake of his career after signing a short-term deal at Doncaster Rovers until the end of the season.
The 26-year-old was released from the Gas contract in January after three months in football limbo whereby he was a member of Joey Barton’s first-team squad and was training as normal but with little chance of getting on the pitch.
Westbrooke made 30 sporadic appearances under the Rovers manager who while always praising the midfielder’s character was never convinced by him as a footballer but the former Coventry City and Brentford talent’s contract meant the Gas struggled to move him on.
Westbrooke was a marquee arrival for Rovers and was seen as something of a coup when he arrived in the summer of 2020 on a free transfer from the Sky Blues, who had just sealed promotion into the Championship, but after an inconsistent first six months under Ben Garner and Paul Tisdale, he never managed to win Barton over.
He and the Gas parted ways in January and after spending some time training with Walsall, Westbrooke agreed a short-term contract with League Two Doncaster last week and made his debut in a 12-minute substitute appearance during Saturday’s 2-0 defeat to Northampton Town.
It was the first time he’s experienced playing at 3pm on a Saturday since the opening day of this season on July 30 when he was a surprise name in the Rovers starting XI against Forest Green Rovers, a performance which then led to Barton referencing his place in the team as evidence of his lack of options in the squad.
"I need to have an impact to get my career going again,” Westbrooke told the Doncaster Free Press. "It’s something I have to do for myself, not just the team. I haven’t had much of a routine as you you do when you are signed at a club.
"I needed to leave and get out and start playing again. I have just been waiting for the right opportunity and right fit for me. I feel this is the one.
"3pm on a Saturday is always the best time in football. I have definitely missed something in my life, to get that back is really nice.”
Another of Rovers’ January exits enjoyed a fruitful weekend as Harvey Saunders opened his account for Tranmere Rovers in their 1-1 draw with Ben Garner’s Colchester United.
Saunders struck his first goal for his new club in 12 appearances, and his first since December 13, in the 13th minute as ran onto a through-ball before rounding the goalkeeper.
“Everyone has been trying their best to get me on the scoresheet and they’ve all stuck with me,” Saunders told the Wirral Globe. “They could’ve easily written me off but everyone at the club has been positive and kept me going.”
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