Bristol Rovers are set to agree a one-year contact extension with homegrown midfielder Lucas Tomlinson, Bristol Live understands.
The 20-year-old has been on Rovers' books for a decade, and his stay with his hometown club will last for at least another 12 months as he eyes a breakthrough campaign.
Tomlinson has long been a standout player in Rovers' youth ranks, featuring regularly in the development squad in recent seasons.
Those performances have had him in and around the first-team setup for the past two years, with Graham Coughlan handing him a league debut in the famous 2-1 win away at Ipswich Town in December 2019.
First-team chances have been limited since as the revolving door of managers at the Mem has spun, with Tomlinson playing on loan at Bath City and Torquay United this term.
The move to Twerton Park was short-lived with the step two season being curtailed by the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic.
A loan to National League promotion hopefuls Torquay followed last month, but he has returned early from his spell at Plainmoor after two appearances, with Gary Johnson putting his faith in the most experienced players in his squad as the Gulls vie for top spot.
The player's focus now turns to pre-season with the Gas, who will return to work at the end of June. Tomlinson caught the eye last summer with goals against Bristol Manor Farm and Cardiff City, and he will hope to have a similar impact in this year's friendlies to force his way into Joey Barton's plans for Rovers' League Two campaign.
Tomlinson, a cultured midfielder with a sweet left foot, has obvious technical ability, and the next steps in his progression will focus on physical gains.
Trials with Championship and League One clubs were being lined up for this summer with the 20-year-old out of contract, but the Gas were eager to keep hold of an academy graduate they have not yet seen the best of.
