When Joey Barton brought Glenn Whelan back into the fold at Bristol Rovers this summer, it was in a coaching capacity. The 38-year-old's playing availability was a bonus to be leaned on in "emergency situations".
But circumstances have dictated that the former Stoke City and Aston Villa midfielder has been required in all three games this season. Injuries, patient recruitment strategy and a suspension have all combined to leave Barton short of options.
With Paul Coutts, Jordan Rossiter, Sam Finley and Josh Grant available again, plus Barton's assurances that dominoes are starting to fall in the transfer market, Whelan's transition from player to coach is set to gather pace.
Whelan has forged an excellent career for himself spanning two decades, closing in on 700 professional appearances to go with the 91 caps he won for the Republic of Ireland. Barton offered high praise when Whelan – who played 31 times in Rovers' promotion campaign last season – was appointed as a first-team coach a fortnight ago, believing he is capable of managing his country one day.
Achievements like that are a long way down the road and Whelan is at the outset of his coaching journey. He has transitioned from the dressing room to the coaches' office, but he still trains fully with the squad. Barton believes that is offering him a new perspective on events at The Quarters that could prove to be valuable over the season ahead.
"He’s right in that sweet spot of he knows what we’re looking for from the time he’s spent with us and also he’s trying to learn and observe and take things in," Barton explained.
"He’s in the coaching room, he doesn’t get changed in the players’ room, but then he joins in training, so he sits really nicely. Paul Coutts and Sam Finley are really good in that regard, they sit in that grey area between players and coaching staff and it’s important that you have a conduit into the dressing room.
"I think Whelo in the short time he has been in the role has adapted really well and he’s still a confidant of the players while being in the coaching room, which can be tricky.
"But he’s still loving it and he can see things from the middle of the session now, so we have a different level of information because Whelo is in the middle of the session and he’ll sit and take part in a coaching session and give you a completely different perspective and one that will benefit the group as we move forward."
Whelan's hunger to keep playing remains. Barton hinted to him about retirement over the summer, posing the question of whether is a better way to call time than after winning 7-0 on the final day of the season to clinch promotion.
The Irishman felt he had more games in him and he is nearing a significant milestone, but if his focus is split between playing and coaching duties through necessity at this moment, Barton hopes the latter will become the dominant part of his brief as the season goes on.
"We hope to transition him away from that by the end of the season," he explained. "But I think he’s close to reaching 700 games and the way he maintains his body and looks after himself, he’s a model professional in that way.
"But when we get reinforcements and get everybody in situ, we’re hoping he spends a lot more time in the coaching room than he does on the grass with the boys."
Coutts, as Barton says, is another conduit between the playing and coaching staff, such is the close bond they share stemming from their time together at Fleetwood.
The Scotsman is back in the fold for Rovers this weekend after missing the first three games of the season as he completed a four-game suspension from last season, and Barton is pleased to have his skipper available for the visit of Oxford United to the Mem.
"I know there’s a lot of spice (between the clubs) in there and you always want your captain in the group and he’s big in terms of his leadership and communication out on the pitch, especially with a young back line," Barton said. "Couttsy's voice and leadership are important and we’re pleased to have him back.
"The disappointing this is it is the hangover of a suspension from last season, but he’s ready to go.
"He’s had a bit of a knock and a niggle. Thankfully, that has settled down and he should join back with the group fully tomorrow. He says he feels great today and it gives us another senior body and experience and leadership is key."
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