Joey Barton has indicated that Harvey Greenslade may get a chance to prove himself in the Bristol Rovers first-team over pre-season after the young striker signed a new contract with the Gas.
Following the extensions of Grant Ward and Josh Grant’s agreements, the Gas have secured a third player to fresh terms with the 19-year-old signing a 12-month deal with his boyhood club.
Greenslade has been with the Rovers academy since he was seven and after travelling and training with the senior squad, made his debut in the 1-1 EFL Trophy draw with Plymouth Argyle last August and was part of the matchday squad for a League One game at Burton Albion.
The Bristolian forward then spent the remainder of the 2022/23 campaign on loan with Chippenham Town in the National League South and Southern League Premier South side Truro City.
With Rovers returning for pre-season at the end of this month, Greenslade is likely to be given time with the first-team squad to assess his development with the Gas’ first summer friendly against Melksham Town on June 30.
“Harvey is someone that the club values highly and is full of potential,” Barton said. “He did well at Truro on loan and I look forward to seeing him make further progress in amongst our first-team group."
Barton is reasonably well-stocked in the attacking department with Aaron Collins, John Marquis and Ryan Loft as his senior strikers but Josh Coburn’s loan return has left a potential opening over the course of the summer programme.
Rovers will likely be in the market for a fourth forward - independent of what happens with Collins - and may well try and bring Coburn back on loan but that is likely to drag further into the window, meaning Greenslade could earn some game time during pre-season and an opportunity to showcase what he can offer.
"I’m really pleased to be able to extend my stay here and I’m excited about what’s to come,” Greenslade said. “I’m 100 per cent focused on this football club and I’m working hard this off-season to be ready for the campaign ahead.
"I’m looking forward to showing what I can do and to continue improving to reach my potential. Hopefully, I can have an impact this season and be able to help this group of lads compete at the top of the table."
Rovers detailed four players they were in negotiations with over new deals when they published their retained list last month, with Greenslade, Ward and Grant signed up, Ryan Jones is the only remaining player to commit his future to the Gas.
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