There has been plenty of talk about goalkeeper for the here and now in BS7, but Joey Barton is excited about the long term for Bristol Rovers with highly-rated prospect Jed Ward performing well out on loan.
The 19-year-old has starred for Hungerford Town this season alongside fellow Rovers talent Ryan Jones, with Ward's displays between the sticks playing a big part in the Crusaders' recent revival in the National League South relegation battle, impressing the watchful eye of Rovers' head of goalkeeping David Coles.
Ward made his first-team debut for the Gas on the final day of the 2020/21 relegation campaign and he appeared in the EFL Trophy last season. This year, though, has largely been spent out on loan, keeping five clean sheets in 16 appearances – with 19 goals conceded a very respectable total for a team sitting bottom of the league.
