Joey Barton is confident a resolution will shortly be reached with Scott Sinclair over a new contract as the veteran Bristol Rovers winger’s present agreement expires in January.
Sinclair’s representatives have been in talks with the Gas for the last few weeks over the potential for the 33-year-old to remain at his boyhood club having joined on an initial short-term deal in October.
That ends soon, with Barton even indicating it could be early January, which puts Rovers on a timeline to reach an agreement or risk losing him to rival clubs. Speaking on Friday, ahead of the Boxing Day trip to Wycombe Wanderers, however, the 40-year-old seemed confident the Gas No7 will be lining up for the club in the second half of the season.
“It was moving on in the background,” Barton said. “He hasn’t signed yet and they’re never done until they’re done but it’s been progressing nicely, we’re hoping to get it for both parties; if you’re Scotty, you don’t really want to be going into games thinking about a tackle, and vice versa.
“For us, with the window opening you don’t want to lose a player of Scott’s quality so we’re hoping to get it resolved. It seems like it will do and, I think, Scott has been a fantastic addition to our group and just gives him that little security and springboard into the Indian summer of his career.”
Sinclair has made five starts in League One, with a further three appearances off the bench, scoring once, since returning to the Gas following a 17-year absence after leaving as a schoolboy to sign for Chelsea. The Bath-born winger has played in a number of positions, in the final third and as a wing-back, and made a seamless transition into the starting XI, proving a popular and important member of the dressing room.
The concept of a new contract at the Mem is not just for the current season but also beyond as Barton believes Sinclair can play at a high level well past his mid-30s, if he wants to.
“His fitness levels and his professionalism, he’s probably got as long as he wants left to play, because he’s such a good pro,” Barton added. “I think he can easily play for another 2, 3, 4 years. For us, hopefully he’ll want to be a part of this because he’s been a great addition but he hasn’t signed the contract yet.
“I don’t want to put words in his mouth but Scott seems really happy, he’s enjoying his football, in a good side. He’s closer to family that he’s been away from for a long period during his fantastic career.
“For us, as I say, it works because I still think he’s got, not just this, but a lot more in the tank should he want to do that. Hopefully we can get it boxed off before the vultures start circling.”
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