Bristol Rovers manager Darrell Clarke believes Stuart Sinclair deserves a chance to play in The Football League, after the midfielder signed a new contract.
Sinclair made 28 appearances for Rovers in their promotion-winning Conference campaign, which saw them make an immediate return to The League, but most of those came in the first half of the season before he was sidelined through injury.He became Clarke's fifth signing when he joined Rovers from the manager's former club Salisbury City last summer, and will now become a Football League player for the first time in his career having agreed a new contract.
“Stuart has already shown what a talented footballer he is and I am delighted that he has agreed to remain at the club,” Clarke told Rovers' official website.
“Having been his manager at Salisbury, I knew that he could play in the Conference and was surprised that he had never appeared in The Football League, so it’s pleasing to be able to give him that opportunity. If there is one player who deserves that chance, then it’s Stuart.
“Naturally, his all-action displays catch the eye, but he is a very intelligent player who is very good at closing down opponents, possesses great positional awareness, and who also has an eye for goal.
“It was disappointing, both for Stuart and ourselves, that injury forced him to miss the tail end of the season, but he never once complained and simply got on with the work needed to get fit again and he was always there, behind the scenes, supporting us all.
“A naturally fit player who is always looking to improve, and a team player, Stuart will be a very important member of our squad again next season.”