Bristol Rovers should start planning for summer exit after Championship close shave | OneFootball

Bristol Rovers need a plan in mind should Kamil Conteh leave in the summer

Among other concerns Bristol Rovers might have had on deadline day, they would have been forgiven for fearing the worst about Kamil Conteh when news started to emerge that the midfielder was subject to interest from clubs in the EFL Championship.

The 22-year-old Sierra Leonean, who only signed for Gas in January 2024 and still has two years remaining on his contract, has been absent from the Rovers ranks since injuring his knee in December - which may be the only reason he still remains at the South West club

As reported by Bristol Live on deadline day, Conteh was subject to interest from the Championship earlier in the window, with the added context that his injury prevented any progress also suggesting he could be set to leave in the summer.

The club recently provided an update on the condition of Conteh, revealing that the youngster had had additional scans which showed he’d picked up a bone infection. It remains unclear at this point when he will return but assuming his recovery goes to plan, it would be no surprise if there is more interest from second-tier clubs once the summer rolls around.

Bright future ahead for Kamil Conteh

Known for his willingness to get stuck in, Conteh’s key abilities come from his strength in a tackle to recover the ball as well as his neat passing to recycle the play using those around him. Before his injury, the youngster was making some impressive numbers with 80.7% passing accuracy and 70% dribble success rates - among the best in the league. As per FotMob, He also figures high among League One midfielders in key measures such as tackles won, interceptions, aerial duels won, and ball recoveries.

His performances before his injury suggest a bright future and Gasheads will be hoping that when he does return, Bristol Rovers will continue to see the best from him.

Some would say Conteh had a slow start in Bristol Rovers colours before coming into his own this season before his then injury-enforced absence. He is yet to score for Rovers in 36 league appearances, with 19 of those coming this season before his ultimately devastating injury.

Matt Butcher could be a ready-made replacement for Kamil Conteh

The interest in Conteh and suggestion that it could resurface in the summer should put the Gas on alert to the possibility of losing one of their most effective players. It’s by no means a certainty he will leave the club but it would be foolish not to have plans in place.

Whether that is to recruit from elsewhere or promote from within remains to be seen but they may already have a replacement on their books - albeit only temporarily.

The addition of Matt Butcher in the winter window was seen by some as the Gas preparing for much of the rest of this campaign without Conteh and the former has certainly had a bright start to his time at the Mem. His contract with his parent club Wycombe is up in the summer but Butcher is still a loan signing.

His first performances are certainly strong advertisements for the hierarchy to chase his signature permanently. Butcher has had a commanding effect on Bristol Rovers defensively - something Rovers have often lacked this season, with his gesturing and vocal calls clearly visible – not to mention his attacking contributions.

It could be something that Rovers pursue at the end of the campaign anyway but it's surely worth bearing in mind considering the Conteh interest.