Bristol Rovers striker Gavin Reilly has been a key figure for League Two outfit Cheltenham Town this season, but he faces an uncertain future in January as reported by Gloucestershire Live.
Reilly has scored four goals in seventeen outings across all competitions since signing for the Robins an on a half-season loan from Rovers in August. He left the Memorial Stadium in search of first-team football in the knowledge his contract is set to expire in the summer, and he’s been an important player for Cheltenham boss Michael Duff.
His form has helped guide the Robins to sixth place in League Two, but the likelihood of him extending his stay in January has been cast in doubt by Duff when he spoke to the local press. He told Gloucestershire Live that while he was confident fellow loanees Jacob Greaves, Max Sheaf, and Jake Doyle-Hayes would all stay until the end of the season, he was less sure about Reilly. ‘Gav is slightly different because of his age and the fact he is out of contract this summer,” Duff said.
‘He might want something elsewhere he might get offered something longer term, and Bristol Rovers might want to call him back.’
‘That’s probably a longer conversation than the other three younger ones, who are enjoying their football.’
Reilly arrived at Rovers from St Mirren in 2018, but he’s failed to establish himself for Gas, scoring just four goals from thirty-five outings last season.
Darrell Clarke signed the twenty-six-year-old after a successful 2017/18 for the Buddies. He netted twenty-two goals in a campaign that took them back to the Scottish top flight.
However, the appointment of Graham Coughlan after Clarke’s dismissal at the turn of the year led to fewer minutes on the pitch and his summer loan move.
Our View
A rumoured fall out with Coughlan makes a return to Rovers unlikely.
Our view is Duff will try and get the striker permanently in January, and while there is possibility other clubs will take a look, Duff should be in the driving seat to sign his man.
