Joey Barton has conceded the chance of Connor Taylor returning to Bristol Rovers on loan looks remote, with the Gas manager exploring other options in the transfer market to reinforce and improve his defensive options.
Barton admits he would love to take Taylor back for another season, following his stunning campaign in League Two last term, but with the 20-year-old starting for Stoke City on Saturday and Harry Souttar’s injury comeback further delayed into October, he looks to be staying at the bet365 Stadium.
With James Connolly, Alfie Kilgour and Luca Hoole - who’s in the process of being converted from right-back - as his senior centre-backs, albeit two of the three aged only 20, Barton is short of options and depth in that area.
