Bristol Rovers manager Steve Evans has admitted he is set for talks with midfielder Isaac Hutchinson next week after a stellar campaign on loan at Cheltenham Town.
The 26-year-old has enjoyed a career resurgence since joining the Robins on a temporary deal last summer. He became a key player for Steve Cotterill’s team, scoring eight times before the turn of the year.
This prompted Evans to address the situation in January, where he regularly hinted that the former Walsall man could be recalled. This decision was confirmed in early January, but after making just two league appearances for the Gas, he returned to the EV Charger Points Stadium on a second loan a month later.
Hutchinson Key To Cheltenham Survival
If Hutchinson’s form before Christmas was excellent, that since rejoining Cheltenham in February has been even better. He netted in his first game back in a 3-2 defeat to MK Dons, and has since taken his season tally to 20 in all competitions.
It was this form that saw the Gloucestershire-based side slowly start to climb the table, and a run of just two defeats in 14 games saw them secure their League Two status earlier this month. It was no surprise when the player was subsequently named in the division’s Team of the Season last week.
Evans Set For Hutchinson Talks
Veteran boss Evans has already committed his future to the club and is setting his sights on next season. With 10 wins from their last 12 outings, including seven on the spin, it is set to be a busy summer at the Memorial Ground.
Hutchinson remains under contract for another year with his parent club, but it is unclear as to whether he will be a Rovers player next season. Speaking to Bristol Live, the ex-Leeds United manager confirmed talks are planned for early next week:
“I’m talking to Isaac on Monday coming, so he’ll be in a week earlier, because I think the kid’s got some holidays planned. Twenty goals plus, he’s going to have a nice holiday, I would think.
“But we’ve always liked Isaac, he knows that, there’s a real affinity between me and him, but we’ll sit down and we’ll chat what’s best for Bristol Rovers.
“This doesn’t come into it, whether, do I think he’s a very good player? Yes, I do. Do I think there will be interest? We know there is already.”
A return to Cheltenham appears to be off the cards though, with Evans confirming such a deal is unlikely:
“Will he go back to Cheltenham? Highly unlikely and probably impossible. But there’s every chance we’ll keep him here. We just have to sit in a room with Isaac and have that conversation.”
Bristol Rovers host Cheltenham this weekend in a fixture in which their loanee will be ineligible to play.