Bristol Rovers have big Chris Martin dilemma - it could impact Inigo Calderon transfer drive | OneFootball

Chris Martin is one of several Bristol Rovers players out of contract in the summer

It's a nice dilemma to have, many would argue, when you have an aging striker who steps up when most needed, but you also need to start preparing your plans for the future. This is the situation currently facing Bristol Rovers head coach Iñigo Calderón.

The Gas have had some rotten luck with strikers in the past - injuries and failed transfers spring immediately to mind - and there’s been no sign of that easing for the BS7 outfit as they’ve continued to lose vital players during a frustrating 2024-2025 campaign so far.

Rovers currently have limited options up top with record signing Promise Omochere out injured – albeit set for a potential surprise return this weekend – while loan signing Gatlin O'Donkor and Ruel Sotiriou are also sidelined, and Shaq Forde has had his own challenges during his first months at the Gas.

The addition of loanee Michael Reindorf in the recent transfer window has - whether by design or accident - prevented a crisis in that department, as has the form of seasoned veteran Chris Martin.

The former Scotland international has been showcasing the different sides of his game recently, particularly showing one of his biggest attributes - his strength on and off the ball.

Chris Martin coming to form as Bristol Rovers strikers fail to make impact

The veteran striker has an impressive overall "duels won" percentage of 45% for the season - among the best for his position in the League - and even higher for aerial duels won (49.5%). Martin has also come first or second for most duels won of all players in three of the last four Bristol Rovers matches. And netted two goals and two assists in the month of February alone.

The Scotsman's overall record for the Gas currently stands at 19 goals in 63 games with four assists.

Martin's current form aside, Rovers strikers have struggled to make an impact this term and the Gas are among the sides with the fewest goals scored in League One. At time of writing, midfielder Isaac Hutchinson is the club's leading scorer for this campaign with four goals – equal with the injured Omochere. The likes of Scott Sinclair and Ruel Sotiriou have chipped in with three goals each along with Martin also on three, but two of those players (Sinclair and Martin) are out of contract in the summer.

Calderón said in his pre-match comments to Bristol Live ahead of Rotherham that no decisions have yet been made on contract offers for those set to expire this summer, making a point of adding that the most important thing is for everyone to do their best to improve as a team and doing so will put everyone in a better position for next season regardless of where they may be.

When asked whether contract extensions had already been considered, Calderón told Bristol Live reporter Dan Hargraves: “No, not really. There’s still two months [of the season left]. It’s too early for me to say.”

Bristol Rovers boss Inigo Calderon with plenty to think about

He added: “Listen, I understand. I’ve been in the situation where you finish your contract at the end of the season. So listen, for me, it’s important that everybody tries to do their best and that will put them in a better place. If it’s here in the club, happy days and if it’s not here in the club, if they do right or the team does better, it will be better for them.”

All things considered, you would expect Bristol Rovers to be in the market again this summer for strikers – hopefully, at least one that will hit the ground running. And Martin, owing to his age, will potentially slip further down the pecking order should he be a Rovers player next season.

The South West club faces a clear dilemma over their physical target man. In offering a new contract to Martin, you tick the experienced and reliable boxes when considering your forward options for next season, which may offer more flexibility to look at other attributes critical to being effective in that department.

On the other hand, he turns 37 in November and may start to struggle with the demands at that level, particularly with fresher talent snapping at his heels, desperate for their opportunity to take his place.

Rovers will want to add in that area anyway but Martin's future will surely impact Calderon's transfer plans. Plenty for Bristol Rovers to consider then as they try to plan their recruitment drive for summer 2025.