Joey Barton says Bristol Rovers will "absolutely" strengthen their squad in January, but he says facilitating the chance for fringe players to go elsewhere is the first priority.
Barton has named midfielder Zain Westbrooke and defender Alfie Kilgour as players who are not getting the minutes they want or need and suggested they could have the opportunity to move on when the transfer window opens next week.
Kilgour, a boyhood Gashead and a product of the club's academy, has previously stated his desire to earn another contract, with his current terms expiring at the end of the season. He was used frequently in the first two months of the campaign, but with James Connolly and Lewis Gibson at full fitness since, the 24-year-old has been used sparingly – not featuring in any of the past 12 League One games.
The centre-back has made 119 appearances for the Gas, scoring seven goals and his pride in wearing the blue and white quarters is immense, but Barton believes a chance to play regularly elsewhere could be beneficial for his career.
Westbrooke's fate is more certain, playing just once in League One this season and that was on the opening day of the campaign. He signed a three-year contract when joining as a highly-rated playmaker from Coventry City in 2020, but the move has been disastrous, suffering relegation in his first season and being confined to a bit-part role since.
He spent the second half of last season on loan at League Two club Stevenage and Rovers allowed him to leave in the summer, but a deal didn't materialise. Like Kilgour, Barton admires his character but he has been honest about his playing chances and the Rovers boss wants the 26-year-old to reinvigorate his career in new surroundings.
"We need to get a couple out," Barton said. "We’ve got a lot of bodies in terms of we’ve got Zain Westbrooke who needs minutes and needs to play. Alfie Kilgour will be frustrated he hasn’t gotten involved.
"Glenn Whelan will be alright because he’s got his coaching gig, but we’ve got Harry Anderson to come back into the mix and if I can’t guarantee lads games and minutes, for the sake of their career and their sanity you’ve got to go out and play.
"It’s different if you’re competing for a jersey, but there are a few lads who you can see in training know no matter what they do, they cannot close the gap on the people who are in the team. For us, clearing that out before adding any more to it, will be key."
In terms of incomings, Rovers are expected to focus on tweaking a few key areas with no need to make significant changes after an encouraging first half of the season.
Barton says the free agent market is an area of focus, hinting he has his eye on players who are returning to the country after stints abroad, although he insists ahead of Thursday's clash with Exeter City that no free agents are training with the club at the moment.
He said: "There are a couple of lads who are out of contract who could be of interest to us in the early part of January, but as you know, it will go to the dying embers of the window. It always does.
"There are always a few, people who have maybe been abroad who might be coming home.
"We’ve got a couple to get out who need to play and kickstart their careers and I also feel the group is at the point now where the January window comes and allows a little bit of tweaking and it just freshens up the training environment and hopefully it gives us a springboard to attack the new year."
Another out-of-contract player who Rovers are "desperate" to tie down is Scott Sinclair, with the winger's short-term contract coming to an end in the coming days.
The club have not specified the exact date when his terms expire, but Barton remains hopeful the 33-year-old, who has scored twice in 12 appearances since rejoining his boyhood club in October, will commit to a long-term deal.
However, he is philosophical about the situation and there will be no grudges if Sinclair decides to move elsewhere.
"We love him," Barton said. "I love Scott. If people want to be here, great, and we’re hoping Scott wants to be here.
"If he does, we’ll get it sorted. If he doesn’t, great. We’ve had a great little spell with him, he’s been a great teammate.
"We’re desperate to do it and that will play out in the future, but we will be doing some business in January and we will be getting stronger, absolutely."
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