Abu Ogogo and Kyle Bennett have been told they are not part of Ben Garner’s plans and can leave Bristol Rovers this summer.
Bristol Live understands the pair learned of their fate in early June and they will not be part of the squad for the season ahead.
The midfielders, who have a year left on their contracts, are yet to secure a move away, but the Gas are moving on without them.
Combative midfielder Ogogo joined Rovers from Coventry City in January 2019 and scored three goals in 41 appearances for the Pirates, becoming a popular figure among the fanbase.
However, the 30-year-old has almost certainly played his final game for the Gas as Garner overhauls his midfield.
The Arsenal academy graduate, with his aggression and tireless running, was a perfect fit for the way ex-Rovers boss Graham Coughlan set up his team, but Garner is hoping to implement a different style of play and has recruited two midfielders this summer who are better suited.
Josh Grant and Zain Westbrooke have been added to the likes of Ed Upson and Cameron Hargreaves in Rovers’ midfield ranks, and Ogogo has been deemed surplus to requirements.
Bennett was expected to make a big impact at the Mem, but he has long been on the fringes since joining Rovers from Portsmouth in 2018, making just two starts and 10 substitute appearances last season.
This is not the first window Rovers’ have tried to move him on. A loan move to Swindon Town in January last year saw him feature regularly, but a permanent deal never materialised for the ex-Doncaster Rovers playmaker – who is believed to be Rovers’ best-paid player.
The summer signing of Sam Nicholson and the return of Derby County loanee Jayden Mitchell-Lawson have plunged him further down the pecking order and he, like Ogogo, has likely worn the blue and white quarters for the final time.
The 29-year-old netted four goals in 62 appearances for Rovers, but he hasn’t scored for the Gas for two years and it has long been obvious that a fresh start for all parties would be universally beneficial.
