Bristol Rovers lining up offer for former Barry Town loanee Sion Spence
Llanelli, Wales. 4th June 2021. Sion Spence of Wales in action Wales u21 v Moldova u21 UEFA Euro Qualifier at Stebonheath Park on the 4th June 2021. Credit: Lewis Mitchell/YCPD.
Sion Spence – midfielder for Crystal Palace’s Under-23s – who spent the 2019/20 campaign on loan at Barry Town United – has been linked with a temporary switch to Bristol Rovers.
The Pirates looking to make an immediate return to League One and Spence could be the creative spark they need to get them there.
Since making the move from Cardiff City in September 2020 following release, Spence has impressed in the South London and an outlay of seven goals and four assists in 15 PL2 matches suggests that the 20-year old is ready to be unleashed in senior football.
The 20-year-old, played in Wales Under-21’s goalless draw with Moldova in June and has had senior football experience with Barry, playing 13 times and scoring once during a spell at Jenner Park in 2019/20.
He is yet to appear for the Eagles’ first team, though, and it is believed that a loan spell is the best way to further his potential following an impressive start to life with Shaun Derry’s side.
According to the Bristol Post, Spence is understood to want the first-team action and the potential switch would allow him to move closer to his native Penarth, in South Wales, whilst also providing regular minutes.
Previously, Rovers have built up an onus on recruiting young prospects on loan from Premier League clubs; last term, on-loan Chelsea midfielder Luke McCormick caught the eye, whereas the likes of Timmy Abraham, James Daly and Tyler Smith have also came in from top-flight outfits.
In particular, there is a gaping hole of creativity in the side following McCormick’s return to West London and it is believed that Spence would fill the void.
Joey Barton has already acted quickly ahead of an assault on League One, supplementing firepower into the squad with the exciting additions of Welshman Aaron Collins from Forest Green Rovers and Harvey Saunders.
They are still in the market for midfielders, however, and Spence has been viewed as a much-liked option.
