Bristol Rovers striker Ellis Harrison was left out of the squad for their pre-season friendly against League Two side Forest Green on Saturday.
As reported here on The72, Bristol Rovers striker Ellis Harrison has been the subject of interest from Blackburn Rovers. The striker missed the friendly as the Gas were defeated 1-0 by Forest Green.
Manager Darrell Clarke refused to comment on Harrison’s absence from the squad, as speculation grows regarding the 24 year-old’s future at the Memorial Stadium. When questioned about his emission by BristolLive, all Clarke said was: ‘Yep, no Ellis, that’s right’ before swiftly moving on to the next topic.
Rovers, however, aren’t the only club looking at the possibility of bringing in Harrison this summer. Ipswich Town have also been credited with interest in the forward, as Martyn Waghorn is linked with a move away from Portman Road with Nottingham Forest, Derby County and Sheffield United prowling.
Tony Mowbray is looking at bringing in Ellis Harrison to bolster his attacking options as Blackburn Rovers look to build on last season’s automatic promotion. The Newport-born forward has scored 49 goals in 2014 appearances for the Gas. Harrison has spent his entire career with Bristol Rovers, excluding a two game loan spell at Hartlepool.
However, Bristol Rovers will be reluctant to sell Harrison given their current striker situation. Rory Gaffney departed for big spending Salford City earlier in the summer. This leaves Clarke with Tom Nichols, who scored twice in 45 appearances last season, and Bernard Mensah, who has only made three starts for Rovers, scoring none. Gavin Reilly has joined Rovers after a successful campiagn with St Mirren, scoring 11.
Ellis Harrison would be a big loss for Bristol Rovers. A firm fan favourite, Harrison has the ability to turn a game on it’s head with a burst of pace. Blackburn wouldn’t have to break the bank to bring the striker to Ewood Park, and it would be a shrewd bit of business.
