Joey Barton has urged Ryan Loft to be ready if a starting opportunity presents itself, but the Bristol Rovers manager admits it is "tough" for the striker to break into his side.
Loft has made just two starts for the Gas since a January move from Scunthorpe United, with an injury costing him his place and Aaron Collins' fine form in his absence has left the target man on the bench.
The former Leicester City and Tottenham prospect missed six games with a back injury and has been used as a substitute in each of Rovers' six games since his return, but a first goal in the blue and white quarters remains elusive. He has four League Two goals to his name this season from his stint at Glanford Park.
Barton believed Loft was the focal point his attack needed after a sluggish first half of the season, but the forced shift to an attack led by Collins has reaped rewards and has brought about a chance to Plan A. However, the manager insists Loft will deliver for the Gas, be it this season or beyond.
"It’s tough for him because we’ve got more than 11 good players," Barton explained. "I felt he played exceptionally well in the Swindon game and he picked up a bit of a knock.
"The players who got in the side in his absence haven’t looked back since that point. Azza’s found his scoring boots and looks like he can get a couple of goals in every game. He really has brought those goals to his game which he was striving for in the early part.
"Ryan has just been unfortunate, as have Harvey Saunders and Sion Spence, in terms of other people have just got into form and the team has dropped into form. In football sometimes, all you can do is work hard on the training pitch and make sure that when an opportunity presents itself, you’re ready to take it.
"In his cameos coming off the bench, Lofty’s done well. The other night, he didn’t have long enough to make an impact.
"He’s just got to be patient. We’ve bought him with the longer term in mind, but he’ll also want to make an impression in the short term because any player wants to make a great impression as soon as they move to a football club.
"He was tracking for that after his performance in the Swindon game, but unfortunately, he picked up a knock and a niggle and he’s had a little bit of a setback. It’s just a challenge the game throws at you and he’s just got to keep being patient, training hard and wait for those opportunities on a Saturday or a Tuesday."
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