{"id":584225,"date":"2021-02-19T07:36:12","date_gmt":"2021-02-19T12:36:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/?p=584225"},"modified":"2021-02-19T07:36:12","modified_gmt":"2021-02-19T12:36:12","slug":"joe-ledley-trains-with-bristol-rovers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2021\/02\/19\/joe-ledley-trains-with-bristol-rovers\/","title":{"rendered":"Joe Ledley Trains With Bristol Rovers"},"content":{"rendered":"

Former Celtic and Crystal Palace<\/a> midfielder Joe Ledley<\/a> is training with Bristol Rovers and has been in discussions to join the Gas, Bristol Live reports<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The 34-year-old Welsh international was also in attendance at the League One<\/a> sides’ 3-1 win against Portsmouth<\/a> on Tuesday, watching the come-from-behind victory from the East Stand of Bristol\u2019s Memorial Stadium.<\/p>\n

Ledley has not played competitively since leaving A-League side Newcastle Jets back in August but has reportedly impressed on the training ground. Since he is a free agent, Ledley is available to join Rovers even though the transfer window is closed.<\/p>\n

Joe Ledley Training With Bristol Rovers<\/h2>\n

Ledley Could Be Key in Relegation Scrap<\/h3>\n

The Gas currently sit 18th in the League One table and are just two points above the relegation zone, albeit with a game in hand. Rovers also have one free spot in their squad after losing Abu Ogogo<\/a> and Josh Barrett<\/a> to injury.<\/p>\n

While signing an attacker had been the priority of the club, the injuries leave a dearth of available talent and only one veteran in midfield.<\/p>\n

Close observers of the club believe that Ledley\u2019s combined decade-and-a-half experience in the Premier League<\/a>, Scottish Premiership and Championship<\/a> would be invaluable as Rovers seek to stay in the third tier of English football for a sixth successive season.<\/p>\n

Ahead of Saturday\u2019s visit to Gillingham<\/a>, caretaker manager and Director of Football, Tommy Widdrington, told Bristol Live that the club was exploring its options in the free-agent market.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe keep trying to turn over rocks and find things that other people wouldn\u2019t find, but that\u2019s a difficult thing to do,\u201d Widdrington said. “With contacts and historical knowledge, we\u2019re aware of one or two people who may be available to us, but it\u2019s got to be the right fit.<\/p>\n

“It\u2019s an option we\u2019ll keep open,\u201d he added. \u201cIf the managerial situation changes, then that person will have a say in that.”<\/p>\n

The Move Makes Sense for Ledley Too<\/h3>\n

On a personal level, the move would make sense for Ledley, whose family is based nearby in the south of Wales.<\/p>\n

The left-winger, turned central midfielder, has been described as a terrific engine<\/a> in the midfield, with a high work rate. He is also known as a physical player, two beneficial traits for any team in a relegation scrap.<\/p>\n

Perhaps most importantly for Rovers, Ledley is no stranger to pressure, having won three consecutive Premiership titles with Celtic and a Scottish Cup. He also reached the finals of the 2007\/08 FA Cup<\/a> with Cardiff City<\/a>.<\/p>\n

During Euro 2016<\/a>, Ledley was a key member of the Welsh squad that topped Group B and made it to the semi-finals<\/a>. Ledley started five of the six matches.<\/p>\n

He is also no stranger to relegation battles, having helped Cardiff avoid the drop by four points in the 2004\/05 Championship and playing a role in keeping Crystal Palace afloat in the 2015\/16 Premier League campaign. Furthermore, he has never been relegated.<\/p>\n

Main Photo<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>