The Bristol Rovers players who may sign a pre-contract agreement away from the Mem next month | OneFootball

FLW takes a look at the players whose Bristol Rovers contracts are set to expire at the end of the current campaign

Eight of Bristol Rovers' first-team squad are yet to renew contracts that expire this coming summer, including regulars Scott Sinclair and Luke McCormick.

While it may be unlikely that Matt Taylor and co look to offload any of their familiar favourites before their time, certain individuals may be looking to preemptively secure the next step of their career this January, by way of a pre-contract agreement at a non-English club.

In a situation between two English clubs, a player with less than one month remaining on their contract is able to enter into a pre-contract agreement.

However, in a deal taking the player abroad, or in Scotland and Wales, this window extends to six months, meaning those with expiring contracts may begin negotiating as early as December 31.

While the entirety of Rovers' expiring octet are British, is it possible that any of them are thinking of a new challenge abroad? Let's take a look at the players whose contracts are set to run down in June.

Grant Ward

Lewisham-born midfielder Grant Ward has been with the Gas since January 2023, having found asylum in the South West following a disastrous injury record and release from Blackpool.

Joining with plenty of Championship experience with the likes of Ipswich and Rotherham, as well as earning League One promotion with the Tangerines, the acquisition was seen as a calculated risk by then-manager Joey Barton, who signed him on a two-year-deal that same July.

While many of the Pirates' alumni have yet to experience second-tier football, from the perspective of uniqueness, it would be Ward's first taste of the professional game that most set his CV aside from his colleagues.

The former Tottenham academy man, who developed alongside England internationals Kyle Walker-Peters, Harry Winks and Harry Kane, was sent on loan to Chicago Fire in 2014.

Making just 12 starts in a stop-start campaign, Ward was well liked in Chicago, but never quite became the fan favourite he could have, but his obvious qualities shone sporadically through the calendar year, including two crucial assists in the season's closing fixture.

Ward returned to England that November, and has played exclusively in his home country ever since.

Having turned 30 this month, Ward is approaching the age that supporters more commonly associate with an American move.

The quality of the MLS has improved in recent years, at least on paper, while Ward's stock has admittedly declined, but there are certainly worse players than him regularly starting Stateside.

Scott Sinclair

Scott Sinclair made an emotional homecoming return to Bristol Rovers - the club he started his career at before his move to Chelsea as a teenager - when re-signing in 2022 after a period at Preston North End.

Whilst he's appeared in most league games this season, Sinclair is now 35 years of age, and he will be considering his career choices sooner rather than later.

It is more likely that Sinclair opts for retirement than a stint overseas, however, being easily the most recognisable name in the squad, he'd have a better chance than any in finding a club.

Chris Martin

Last season, veteran striker Chris Martin was one of the more prolific strikers in League One, netting 16 times and showing he still has something to offer.

It has been a different story in 2024-25 though - injury kept him on the sidelines for a while and he does not look like the same player who was scoring for fun last season.

His Coldplay namesake may travel the world regularly, though seeing the ex-Derby man anywhere outside of the EFL would frankly feel wrong. Similar to Sinclair, will presumably retire soon.

Luke McCormick

Like Sinclair, Luke McCormick has been in and out of Matt Taylor's starting 11 during the current campaign.

The midfielder joined over two years ago from AFC Wimbledon, but at the age of 25 he could be an improver - whether that is at Bristol Rovers or elsewhere, and a club overseas could take a chance on the ex-Chelsea prospect.

Jack Hunt

Hunt has bags of Championship experience from his time at Bristol City, Sheffield Wednesday and Huddersfield Town, but the right-back's career looks set to wind down at the age of 33.

Injury issues have seen the veteran out of the squad for periods of the current season, so it remains to be seen whether a new contract will be offered to the defender before the end of the season.

James Wilson

Wilson has been an ever-present in the Bristol Rovers backline this season, which is a change from his stop-start 2023-24 campaign.

At the age of 35 though, Wilson is another one of the ageing Gas players that is likely looking at the end of his career rather than a change of scenery in the form of a move abroad.

Matt Hall & Jerry Lawrence

Young players seem to be less and less afraid of challenges abroad, with low-profile U23s popping up all over Europe of late.

Again, a move to the Conference South is the most likely destination for both, but if they can negotiate it, why not try somewhere on the continent?