With an intensive schedule and multiple sessions each day, there are few better opportunities for young players to impress their manager than a pre-season training camp, and several Bristol Rovers youngsters are hoping to stake a claim this week.
The Gas are midway through their stay in Vilamoura, Portugal, with Joey Barton and his staff putting the players through their paces as the new League One season edges closer with places in the squad still up for grabs.
Barton showed last season he is not afraid to put faith in younger players and there are several who hope to win his trust this week in the Algarve.
Ryan Jones
The 20-year-old has been in and around the first team for the past year and has made his senior debut, but Jones is awaiting his first league appearance and will be desperate to break through as he enters the final year of the contract he signed after joining from Weston-super-Mare in 2020.
He scored in the EFL Trophy at Exeter City last year and he netted the fifth goal in the win at Melksham last week, and after a stint on loan in the National League South with Bath City, he should be ready to make the step up.
As with all of these players, the move to five substitutions per game works in their favour, but perhaps for Jones more than anyone else due to his versatility. He can play as a winger, wing-back or number 10, and a solid camp in Portugal could advance his cause.
Sam Heal
After a cruel knee injury in his first season as a professional, Heal is determined to take his chance at Rovers. The academy graduate has penned a six-month deal, meaning he has limited time to make an impression.
Before his injury last year, the 19-year-old was in contention for a backup left-back role. He impressed in his first game in a Gas shirt since, providing an assist in the win at Melksham to start pre-season on the front foot.
Jamie Egan
One of two first-year professionals signed by Rovers this summer. The centre-back joined the academy from Irish side Cabinteely in 2020, slotting into the under-18s side.
With the Gas disbanding their development squad, he was sent out on loan to Hereford last season to get action in the senior arena and his composure earned praise.
With a contract in place until the end of this season and a back-up centre-back role possibly up for grabs, 19-year-old Egan has plenty to work towards.
Harvey Greenslade
The striker has risen through the age groups of the academy to reach Rovers' first team, signing a one-year contract after completing his scholarship in the under 18s. Before he signed that deal, Greenslade had already caught the eye of Barton, who called the striker up to train with the first-team squad in the closing weeks of last season.
The 18-year-old is a prospect to watch closely after making an impressive start to pre-season with a goal and an assist in the first 45 minutes at Melksham. His powerful, ruthless finish to make it 3-0 last Friday was an indicator of his striker's instinct.
Jerry Lawrence
Midfielder Lawrence is the first of the under-18s to be included in Rovers' travelling squad for pre-season, and like Greenslade he has travelled to Portugal off the back of an impressive showing at the Oakfield Stadium.
The second-year scholar had a strong week in training before finishing it strongly in the game at Melksham. He was tenacious in midfield and bright going forward, with a smart spin unlocking the defence for the opening goal.
He followed that by grabbing the ball and taking the penalty to score the second, and if he carries that confidence through pre-season he should do just fine.
Lucas Vaughan
Vaughan is another second-year scholar who has been included in the first-team group at the start of pre-season. The winger was solid if not spectacular in his 45-minute runout at Melksham on Friday.
He made the senior squad for a couple of matchdays last season, but he is yet to make his debut in competitive action.
Malik Sesay
A third second-year scholar to make the trip to Vilamoura. The versatile defender did not feature in the opening pre-season friendly but he is part of the group in the Algarve.
He was included in the squad for the FA Cup tie at Peterborough in January, but he did not make it off the bench.
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