![](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/0_Cheltenham-Town-v-Bristol-Rovers-Sky-Bet-League-Two-Football-The-EV-Charger-Points-Stadium-Chelt.j.jpeg\")
(Image: Will Cooper\/Shutterstock)<\/p>\nBristol Rovers’ five loanees – Joel Cotterill, Kacper Lopata, Stephan Negru, Alfie Chang, and Freddie Issaka – are set to return to their parent clubs, Bristol Live understands(Image: Will Cooper\/Shutterstock)<\/p>\n
Bristol Rovers\u2019 <\/a>five loanees – Joel Cotterill, Kacper Lopata, Stephan Negru, Alfie Chang, and Freddie Issaka – are set to return to their parent clubs, Bristol Live <\/a>understands, as the Gas look to reshape their squad in the early part of the January transfer window.<\/p>\n Isaac Hutchinson<\/a> has also been recalled from Cheltenham Town after talks with Steve Evans at The Quarters Training Facility on Monday, as per Jon Palmer of Gloucestershire Live<\/a>.<\/p>\n Cotterill has played 16 times for the Gas in all competitions, scoring his only goal in the 2-1 win at Bromley in the first round of the FA Cup <\/a>.<\/p>\n He has arguably been the best performer of the five loanees and has been unlucky not to add to his goal tally, hitting the post against Cheltenham and Notts County and seeing a first-half strike against Barnet ruled out for offside.<\/p>\n OPINION<\/p>\n READ MORE: Isaac Hutchinson recalled by Bristol Rovers from Cheltenham Town loan<\/a><\/p>\n With Hutchinson to return and new signing Ryan De Havilland seen predominantly as a number eight by Peterborough United supporters, the 21-year-old\u2019s time in North Bristol looks to be coming to an end.<\/p>\n Lopata has played 17 times for Rovers this season, playing an important role in the eight-match unbeaten run under Darrell Clarke earlier in the campaign. He returned from an injury against Notts County before receiving a straight red card against Swindon Town in Clarke\u2019s final game in charge. The centre-back started against Shrewsbury Town, but was withdrawn with a knock at half-time.<\/p>\n Negru arrived at Rovers on deadline day with an injury that kept him out until October. He has made 10 appearances in all competitions so far, with his last cameo coming in the 1-0 defeat against Port Vale in the FA Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n Chang, like Cotterill, has looked bright at times in the middle in what has been a challenging period for Rovers, making 19 appearances and registering three assists. He has been a substitute in the last two league games, though, coming on for 10 and 39 minutes against Barnet and Shrewsbury, respectively.<\/p>\n Finally, despite some Rovers fans wanting Issaka to play more frequently under Clarke and Evans, his game time in BS7 has been extremely limited, making only nine appearances for the Gas, including only one start against Cambridge United in the round of 32 of the Vertu Trophy.<\/p>\n In terms of a returning loanee, Hutchinson will come back to BS7 after eight goals and three assists since joining Cheltenham on September 1.<\/p>\n A day after his departure to the Robins, Rovers released a statement condemning the abuse directed towards him and his wife. Since then, he has excelled under Steve Cotterill, helping to lift them nine points ahead of Evans\u2019 side in League Two.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n All the latest news, views, interviews, gossip and analysis concerning the Gas, delivered straight to your inbox.<\/p>\n It’s completely free and you can sign up HERE<\/a><\/p>\n Hutchinson has largely played as a number eight for Cheltenham, and if Chang and Cotterill are to depart, he would add to the competition in this area of the pitch alongside new signing De Havilland <\/a>and Kamil Conteh, especially if Evans sticks with the 4-3-3 used in recent games.<\/p>\n Next up for the Gas is a round of 16 Vertu Trophy clash against Plymouth Argyle on January 13 at The Mem, followed by a home game against Colchester United in League Two four days later.<\/p>\n READ MORE: Bristol Rovers stadium plans latest as club ‘explore’ moving from The Mem<\/a> Join Bristol Rovers Live’s Whatsapp community for all the biggest Bristol Rovers stories sent straight to your phone<\/strong><\/p>\n Bristol Rovers Live<\/a> is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join our community.<\/p>\n Through the app, we\u2019ll send the Bristol Rovers news, live match coverage, team news, transfers, fixtures, analysis and more straight to your phone.<\/p>\n To join our community you need to already have WhatsApp. All you need to do is click this link and select \u2018Join Community\u2019.<\/a><\/p>\n No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Bristol Live<\/a> team.<\/p>\n We also treat community members to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. If you don\u2019t like our community, you can check out at any time you like.<\/p>\n To leave our community, click on the name at the top of your screen and choose \u2018Exit group\u2019.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1767717314_410_1_3101240sousa.jpg\")
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Kacper Lopata gestures during Bristol Rovers…(Image: Photo by Stuart Leggett\/MI News\/NurPhoto via Getty Images)<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/0_Bristol-Rovers-v-Swindon-Town-Bristol-UK-13-Dec-2025.jpg\")
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