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<\/p>\nHere are the three main reasons why Bristol Rovers must sign a centre-back in January<\/p>\n
16:26, 09 Jan 2026Updated 18:38, 09 Jan 2026<\/p>\n
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(Image: Phil Oldham\/Shutterstock)<\/p>\n
Bristol Rovers<\/a> have had a busy start to the January transfer window, bringing in Ryan De Havilland on a two-and-a-half year deal, along with recalling Isaac Hutchinson after his successful loan spell at Cheltenham Town. All five loanees – Kacper Lopata, Stephan Negru, Alfie Chang, Joel Cotterill and Freddie Issaka – have returned to their parent clubs as well, with Steve Evans reshaping the squad already.<\/p>\n Centre-back has been a position that Rovers have had a lot of depth in so far this season, especially when Tom Lockyer<\/a> signed for the club in October. The departures of Lopata and Negru mean that this depth has shrunk, with only Alfie Kilgour, Clinton Mola, Taylor Moore, and Lockyer, as the primary options.<\/p>\n Having said that, here are the three main reasons why Rovers need a centre-back this month\u2026<\/p>\n READ MORE: Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson offers update on Bristol Rovers transfer target<\/a>READ MORE: \u2018He is the manager who will get your club up and running\u2019 – Darragh MacAnthony tells Bristol Rovers to back Steve Evans<\/a>Lockyer\u2019s number six role opens up new possibilities<\/strong><\/p>\n Lockyer played as a midfielder at times during his first spell at the club, during the Conference season, which saw the Gas win promotion via the play-offs. He enjoyed the best spell of his career at Luton Town at centre-back, though, winning promotion to the Premier League in 2023.<\/p>\n The 31-year-old\u2019s first game since returning to Rovers was during the 4-0 defeat against Crawley Town, and in every match until the win at Shrewsbury, Lockyer started at either centre-back or right-back. This changed at the Croud Meadow, though, with Evans playing Lockyer as a number six.<\/p>\n He was outstanding on the afternoon, breaking up attacks, providing the Gas with an aerial presence in front of the backline, and helping the team achieve a first clean sheet in the league since the 1-0 win at Grimsby Town in August 2025.<\/p>\n Steve Evans manager of Bristol Rovers and Tom Lockyer of Bristol Rovers(Image: Michael Zemanek\/Shutterstock)<\/p>\n Lockyer is an option as a defensive midfielder, alongside Josh McEachran<\/a> and Kamil Conteh, in Evans\u2019 preferred 4-3-3. It is likely that the 63-year-old used the former Premier League captain as a short-term option, especially given McEachran\u2019s injury. Undoubtedly, it will be tough for Evans to move him out of this role, as it was his best performance since returning to Rovers by a long way.<\/p>\n If he sticks with Lockyer as a number six, then the need for a centre-back becomes greater.<\/p>\n Kilgour\u2019s injury concerns and lack of physicality without him<\/strong><\/p>\n You\u2019d be hard-pressed to find a Rovers fan who doesn\u2019t think that Kilgour has been the club\u2019s best centre-back so far this season. He returned to the club in the summer, two years after his first spell at the club ended.<\/p>\n The last two seasons have been difficult for the 27-year-old, picking up a ruptured Achilles in August 2023 that kept him out of the remainder of the 2023\/24 campaign. In the following season, Kilgour returned from his injury, making 17 appearances in all competitions for Mansfield Town before departing the club to join the Gas in the summer of 2025.<\/p>\n Some regard the Rovers captain as injury-prone, and hehas missed five league games this season due to a knee injury. He has played 19 out of the 24 league matches, including all four under Evans. Keeping him fit will be crucial in the remaining months of the campaign, but it would make Evans\u2019 life much easier if a new centre-back was brought in to reduce the load on the captain and provide some much-needed physicality in the backline.<\/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 When Kilgour went off with a knock at Bromley, the Gas were 2-1 up, albeit with ten-men. They were completely dominated physically in the last 15 minutes without the 27-year-old, and his absence was felt as Andy Woodman\u2019s side turned it around to win 3-2.<\/p>\n 2024\/25 Player of the Season not replaced<\/strong><\/p>\n Connor Taylor departed Rovers in the summer after significant interest from League One clubs, including Peterborough United and Wycombe Wanderers. He eventually signed for the latter for an undisclosed fee after winning the club’s Player of the Season award in the 2024\/25 campaign<\/a>, which saw the Gas relegated.<\/p>\n The reaction to his departure was mixed, with some happy to see the club make a profit from the centre-back, while others were disappointed to see a young defender, who had previously achieved promotion to League One in 2022 during a loan spell, leave.<\/p>\n 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. 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