Joey Barton has pinpointed the work Jerry Lawrence needs to do to break into Bristol Rovers' first team after signing his first professional contract. The 17-year-old, who made his senior debut at Burton Albion in August, was paraded in front of the Mem crowd at half time of Saturday's win over Cambridge United after being rewarded with professional terms.
The midfielder has penned a two-year deal after catching Barton's eye on the training ground in pre-season. Lawrence was with Rovers since the first day of their summer training programme and did enough to earn a spot on the plane for the week-long camp in Portugal.
"It's a huge privilege to have signed professional terms at the club I've grown up with," Lawrence told the club's website. "I'm looking forward to seeing what the future has to offer."
Since his pre-season emergence, Lawrence has made his EFL debut as well as making his first start for the club in the EFL Trophy tie at Plymouth Argyle in September. It has been a rapid rise in recent weeks for a player who joined the club in the under-11s, although his momentum has been slowed somewhat in recent weeks by a groin injury.
Nonetheless, Rovers have high hopes for his future, and his manager has given his thoughts on what it will take for Lawrence to make the grade.
"We've got to be careful with him because he's still a young man, but he shows on a day-by-day basis the qualities he has when he joins in with the first team. It's our job to keep developing that," Barton said.
"He's got a lot of work to do, don't get me wrong. He's got a lot of work to do on the fitness aspect of his game. If you want to play in midfield now, you have to be knocking out between 10-12km of running in a 90-minute game and I think Jerry's got a bit of work to do in that department. He's still a bit of a teddy bear when it comes to that.
"But with the resources we have and the fitness staff we have, we really believe in his future. We're delighted to tie him down to a professional contract, he's a top kid.
"He's signed his first pro contract but when you get to the top of one ladder, the academy ladder, you are at the bottom of the senior ladder. We're delighted for him, he's really earned that with his attitude and application, but he's got to keep building now and make sure he can become a permanent fixture in our first team."
Lawrence follows Harvey Greenslade, Jamie Egan and Sam Heal as recent academy players to sign professional deals, and the central midfielder will look to the likes of Luca Hoole and Alfie Kilgour as inspiration after making the leap from academy to first team in recent seasons.
Academy manager Byron Anthony added: "Everyone associated with the academy is delighted for Jerry and his family that he has signed his first professional contract. Jerry’s attitude and application have been exceptional and he is a true role model for future academy players.
"Jerry has high potential and will continue improving within the first-team environment, learning from experienced players."
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