Joey Barton admits it will be "tricky" for Jon Nolan to break into the Bristol Rovers team in the remainder of the season, but after two years of injury misery, the manager is delighted the midfielder has been able to train unhindered for three weeks.
The Gas took a punt on Nolan – a proven player who has impressed in League One but endured more than a year on the sidelines at former club Ipswich Town due to a serious knee injury – the day after the January transfer deadline. Rovers snapped up the 30-year-old as a free agent until the end of the season following the termination of his contract at Portman Road.
But Nolan has made just one appearance for the Gas, debuting as a substitute in the 1-0 defeat at Newport County in March. Niggling injury issues and fierce competition for places have seen him out of contention. With Paul Coutts, Sam Finley, Antony Evans and Glenn Whelan preferred in midfield, Nolan has not been included in a single matchday squad since his return to training.
