Bolger Back On Deadline Day

Bristol Rovers were unexpectedly active on transfer deadline day as Leicester City defender Cian Bolger rejoined the club on a loan deal until January 2013.

This is Bolger's third spell with the club and it's taken the whole of the summer for Mark McGhee to land his man again. Alongside his signing Rovers have also recruited centre halves Garry Kenneth and, Bolger's former Foxes team-mate, Tom Parkes on 3-year permanent deals. With Adam Virgo also competing for a starting berth the centre of our defence has plenty of good competition which will be of benefit to McGhee throughout the season.

Chairman Nick Higgs has explained that Bolger's position will be evaluated in January - which perhaps hints that a further loan extension could be in the offing, or even a permanent move. A full-time transfer would make sense as he's yet to make a first team appearance for his parent club and is clearly valued by Rovers.

McGhee added that in April, when the club were planning for this season, Tom Parkes, David Clarkson and Cian Bolger were his three main transfer targets and he has been able to sign all 3 before the transfer window slammed shut. He expressed his delight at being able to do so and implies generally that he has been very pleased with all the signings he has made this summer. As a result he chose to commend Higgs and Toni Watola for their support in his transfer dealings as it brought a close to all recruitment this summer.

There is scope for loan signings to be made when the loan window opens in a couple of weeks time but if it's not essential the club may wait until January to strengthen the squad.