New Bristol Rovers signing “imminent” as the Gas win first league game since September
19:07, 01 Jan 2026Updated 19:28, 01 Jan 2026
Fabrizio Cavegn of Bristol Rovers celebrates scoring their sides third goal with team-mates(Image: Michael Zemanek/Shutterstock)
Bristol Rovers head coach Steve Evans was delighted with his team’s performance as they secured their first league win since September and moved ahead of their opponents Shrewsbury Town, thanks to a 3-0 win at The Croud Meadow.
After an hour of few chances, Fabrizio Cavegn scored a hat-trick in the last 27 minutes to secure a crucial three points for the Gas – lifting them up to 20th and four points clear of the League Two relegation zone.
READ MORE: Bristol Rovers end winless run in style with Fabrizio Cavegn hat-trickREAD MORE: Forest Green Rovers sign Merthyr Town attacker Ricardo Rees
It was a first win in 14 games – 12 of them defeats – and much needed against a side in the relegation battle with the Gas. After the victory, Evans said: “Yeah, I think they are [Rovers fans] the important people, aren’t they in every football club. You know, there’s a great man who lost his life, who was once player and manager at Glasgow Celtic and he said, “It’s a cause” and Bristol Rovers, is a cause in a big city.
(Image: Michael Zemanek/Shutterstock)
“So it’s a cause. So for us to produce a three-nil away victory and give those supporters that travelled and the ones at home, listening to the BBC and listening to the commentary and thinking, wow, what a win that is. And it’s a great win. But for me, when the third goal went in, I must admit, I did think, this is better than the Maldives. This is better than the Maldives. My wife will still be crying that she swapped bikinis for rain jackets and all sorts in the last week, but yeah, it meant everything.
“I wasn’t down after Bromley. I think the performance was really special, really good, but obviously, Shaq [Forde] gets sent off. And then obviously, Barnet I was really down. I don’t think we really produced anything of note that I look back on and say that’s a Steve Evans team, but I’ve seen it today.
“I think the one special thing for me, apart from Fab’s hat-trick, was young Shaq Forde, who was devastated, devastated after Bromley, sat in my off office, shedding tears and [a] very humble kid, and I said to him today, you answer it by performance – you don’t answer it by talking, because you’ve let yourself down, the team down, everyone down. Performance brings you back round. I think the fans will be driving back to Bristol thinking Forde was brilliant today.”
Sign up for our Rovers newsletter
Bristol Rovers have Steve Evans now in charge as they look to battle push up the League Two table – and you won’t miss a beat with our free newsletter.
All the latest news, views, interviews, gossip and analysis concerning the Gas, delivered straight to your inbox.
It’s completely free and you can sign up HERE
Now that 2026 is here, Rovers have a month to add to their squad, with Evans asked about the upcoming window. The 63-year-old revealed that one signing is “imminent,” as himself and director of football Ricky Martin look to add players to the squad early in the month. He said: “Yeah, listen, we’re meeting some players tomorrow. I’ve met some players. Yesterday, three separate players, Ricky was involved in two of those meetings. We’re really keen to help the group. We’re not necessarily saying people have to move out.
“As I said, the meeting I had with the owners, fantastic. People can believe it or not believe it, but that meeting was really good. They said, we’ll increase the budget, which is already third best in the league, to help you secure it.
“But I knew that before I came in, because that was the type of challenge before I came in. I think if you’re a young immature manager, you rush into the job and you think, I’m not getting any help here. I said when I’d assessed Rovers that I’m going to need some help if I come in. But the owners have been absolutely sterling with their backing.”
(Image: Michael Zemanek/Shutterstock)
When pressed on whether the new signings will be permanents or loans, Evans added: “Both, both. If it’s the right player, they can be permanent, it can be loan and he can come for a week if he wants, if he helps us win. There’ll be a mixture of permanents and loans. We’d like to make the majority of them permanent. Some of the loan boys will come with a view to a permanent, because we want to see them in an environment and our environment is very good. Everything here is ticked to be a club, which shouldn’t be in League Two, but we’re in League Two for a reason – on the pitch.”
Bristol Rovers Live on Whatsapp
Join Bristol Rovers Live’s Whatsapp community for all the biggest Bristol Rovers stories sent straight to your phone
Bristol Rovers Live is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join our community.
Through the app, we’ll send the Bristol Rovers news, live match coverage, team news, transfers, fixtures, analysis and more straight to your phone.
To join our community you need to already have WhatsApp. All you need to do is click this link and select ‘Join Community’.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Bristol Live team.
We also treat community members to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out at any time you like.
To leave our community, click on the name at the top of your screen and choose ‘Exit group’.
If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Click here to join our WhatsApp community.
The 63-year-old was asked by Bristol Live about the identity of the potential new incoming, with the head coach saying, “It’s imminent, he’s a good player and hopefully we can get that done in the next 48 hours.”
Next up for Rovers is a trip to Barrow in three days. After the away game against Barrow, the Gas have a 13-day break until their next league clash, with a round of 16 Vertu Trophy tie against Plymouth Argyle to come on 13th January.
READ MORE: ‘The intention at the minute is that he’ll be coming back’ – Steve Evans gives Isaac Hutchinson verdict after Barnet defeatREAD MORE: Isaac Hutchinson: ‘I want to see out the season here’ as recall decision looms