Joey Barton says Scott Sinclair was too good to turn down on a short-term contract, and he hopes the 33-year-old enjoys an 'Indian summer' and stays at Bristol Rovers for years to come.
The former Celtic, Chelsea and Manchester City forward sealed a return to BS7 this week, rejoining his boyhood club on a free transfer until January. Sinclair has not played since April and was released by Preston North End at the end of last season, but the Rovers boss has been hugely impressed by what he has seen from the Bath-born attacker at The Quarters over the past week before signing a deal.
Sinclair – a product of the club's academy who made two first-team appearances as a 15-year-old before being snapped up by Chelsea in 2005 – has initially signed a deal until the new year and Barton believes he will make a big impact in that time on and off the pitch. But the manager hopes it is the beginning of a longer stay with the club where it all started for the ex-Swansea City and Aston Villa winger.
"I just thought he had too much quality for us not to take him," Barton said after watching his side beat Swindon Town in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday. "We were in a position because of the back-end of the window where we budgeted and we had a bit of surplus because we missed some targets. It was a case of being able to add real experience with over 500 appearances, and real quality and goals.
"And if you are an old romantic, it allows him to start and finish at Rovers. He’s a product of the academy and gone to Chelsea and made a fantastic career for himself in the British game and then, as luck would have it, he’s out of contract. He’s in the right shape in terms of his body and it’s in a position where we think his experience could really add to us and our group.
"It works for all parties. It’s short-term to begin with but let’s hope this is an Indian summer for Scott and he can have a number of good years here. Both of us are having a look at each other. Who knows, he could well be two, three or four years here.
"His mum and dad are over in Bath and he has lots of friends and family in the area. Maybe the older Gasheads amongst it can get to see him fulfil his potential in a quartered shirt that he may have done when he was a young teenager in the academy."
Sinclair has spent several months without his club since being released by Preston at the end of the last Championship season, but he has kept himself in excellent condition. He spent time training at Chelsea's Cobham base before working with the Gas.
Ahead of Saturday's game against League One leaders Plymouth Argyle, Barton believes his new signing is ready to make an impact, although Gasheads may have to wait for his first start.
"I saw him running this afternoon with Harvey Saunders, who was suspended, and Glenn Whelan and James Connolly," Barton added. "He’s in fantastic shape and he’s a player who won’t need a lot of time to get into his group.
"Would he be able to start against the table-toppers on Saturday? Probably not, but I think if he had to do half an hour or 25 minutes, he’d certainly have his lungs open, but with his game IQ and his nous, I don’t think he’d have a problem.
"For us, we’ve got to get him through it safely. Tonight would have been ideal for him, but it just came a bit too soon in terms of when things got finalised.
"If he reaches his level of performance, he’s a fantastic player and I think a really good addition to group."
Barton revealed the prospect of Aaron Collins being called into Wales' squad for the upcoming World Cup was part of his thinking, ensuring the depth of Rovers' attacking resources is protected. Sinclair joins Collins, Ryan Loft, Josh Coburn, John Marquis and Saunders in the attacking ranks and the manager believes they will all be able to learn from Sinclair and his experience from playing at the elite level.
Collins has 14 goal involvements in 14 league games this season after taking his goal tally to eight in the 4-1 win on Saturday and his manager believes he should be in contention for Rob Page's 26-man travelling party.
"Well, I brought him in case Aaron gets in this World Cup squad," Barton said. "We’ve got to have a contingency plan in case Azza gets his visa for Qatar.
"That is part of the thinking with it, but he is also someone the lads can learn from because he’s been an incredible player and we’ve seen that with Whelo, who has moved into the coaching room a bit more.
"The experienced players speaking to the younger players, your Luca Hooles and James Connollys and Lewis Gibsons, I just think having that wealth of experience – and still lots of ability, by the way, we haven’t just signed him because he’s an experienced player. He’s still really fit and his finishing is fantastic.
"We think if an opportunity presents itself when the chips are stacked quite, you’d want it to fall to a player of Scott’s calibre and experience. We’re delighted to have him in our group and we’re looking forward to this period with him."
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