Bristol Rovers are yet to settle on a new goalkeeping coach, with Finland international Anssi Jaakkola filling the role on a temporary basis.
The role on Joey Barton's staff remains vacant after Tony Warner took a job with Championship side Reading. The Gas have interviewed candidates but Barton is yet to find the right fit to replace the 48-year-old.
While the search for a permanent solution continues, 35-year-old Jaakkola is doubling up as backup keeper and goalkeeping coach on a short-term basis, working with number one James Belshaw and 19-year-old prospect Jed Ward ahead of the new season.
"We’re monitoring it at the minute," Barton told Bristol Live. "We had a few different ideas and we were back and forth with the goalie coaches out there.
"We interviewed a couple of candidates and we didn’t feel they were the correct feel for us. If you can’t appoint good people, don’t appoint people just for the sake of it.
"We’re still figuring our way through it. Anssi is filling the position at the moment in the short term.
"I’m speaking to the keepers every day and so far it has been alright. They’ve got a good working relationship from last year."
Belshaw's place as Rovers' number one is cemented for the upcoming League One season, with former Reading and Slavia Prague keeper Jaakkola set to be his backup. The latter's struggles with injuries last season meant Ward was often needed on the bench as cover.
That meant Ward sat in the dugout for more than 30 games last term, with his only first-team football coming in the EFL Trophy and on brief loan stints with non-league sides Swindon Supermarine and Prescot Cables.
Ward could be a candidate for a longer loan this season. He is a highly rated prospect at the Mem and there is a feeling a sustained run of games in senior football will aid his development.
READ NEXT:
