Luke Southwood and Jed Ward are attracting interest from EFL clubs, while Carl Piergianni is not currently on Bristol Rovers’ radar
Jed Ward, Goalkeeper of Yeovil Town chilling out before the National League match between Yeovil Town and Truro City at Huish Park, Yeovil on 3 April 2026 (Photo: Phil Mingo/PPAUK)(Image: Getty Images / Phil Mingo/PPAUK)
Bristol Live understands that Blackpool have enquired about Luke Southwood, while York City, among others, have shown a firm interest in Jed Ward.
In terms of potential incomings, centre-back is a position that Bristol Rovers are actively looking to strengthen this summer.
A name that has been linked with the club in recent weeks is Stevenage’s Carl Piergianni, but we understand that the 34-year-old is not currently on the club’s radar.
Despite this, the Gas are firmly interested in a left-sided centre-back in League One.
While Kofi Balmer is set to sign a pre-contract, Tom Lockyer has departed, and Taylor Moore was transfer-listed last week, emphasising the need for centre-back additions this summer.
READ MORE: 372 matches, 1.53 PPG – Steve Evans’ League Two record in fullREAD MORE: ‘No longer going to be a scattergun approach’ – Steve Evans on Bristol Rovers’ recruitment strategyMore on Luke Southwood and Jed Ward
Southwood and Ward were two of the seven players to be listed as available for transfer/loan by the club last Tuesday.
Blackpool have already enquired about Southwood and are weighing up a move for the 28-year-old.
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The goalkeeper played for Blackpool head coach Ian Evatt at Bolton Wanderers, breaking into the first-team to replace Nathan Baxter in January 2025 just before Steven Schumacher replaced Evatt.
York are also understood to have a firm interest in Ward following the 22-year-old’s impressive campaign on loan at Yeovil Town, which saw him win four end-of-season awards, including Players’ Player of the Season and Supporters’ Player of the Season.
Jed Ward of Yeovil Town saves a penalty during the National League match between Altrincham and Yeovil Town at The J. Davidson Stadium, Altrincham on 7 February 2026 (Photo: Steve Flynn/PPAUK)(Image: Steve Flynn/PPAUK)
Bristol Rovers’ centre-back pursuit
Piergianni played under Evans during Stevenage’s 2022/23 promotion season from League Two and has remained at the club since, guiding them to the League One play-offs during the current campaign.
We understand that Rovers are not currently pursuing the 34-year-old, but a left-sided centre-back in League One is one of three or four players that the club are actively working on.
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