The questions Bristol Rovers' 2019/20 squad numbers…

The questions Bristol Rovers' 2019/20 squad numbers throw up

Bristol Rovers have announced their new squad numbers for the 2019/20 season however two men who have stood out in pre-season have not been assigned numbers.

The Gas have been playing in last season's away kits for all of pre-season but after revealing their new shirts on Saturday night before going on sale at the club's open day on Sunday, they have now announced who will play in which number.

There are a few interesting things we can potentially read into the number assignments.

First of all, as was already announced, star striker Jonson Clarke-Harris will wear the famous number nine shirt as he looks to join the pantheon of great players to have worn it at the Gas before him, the likes of Rickie Lambert, Alfie Biggs and Devon White.

Jonson Clarke-Harris models the new shirt (Bristol Rovers)

Dutch goalkeeper Jordi Van Stappershoef has been given the number one shirt despite the fact most observers believe the experienced Anssi Jaakkola, who has been handed the number 32 jersey, will be first choice this season.

Despite Lucas Tomlinson and Luca Hoole drawing glowing praise from manager Graham Coughlan during pre-season neither teenager has been assigned a number.

In the story confirming the squad numbers read: 'All senior players have been allocated a number for the upcoming campaign.'

Tomlinson for one has a good chance of being involved in the squad to face Blackpool at Bloomfield Road on Saturday in the opening game of the League One season, so the question remains what number will the exciting development squad midfileder wear if he does feature having worn the number 68 shirt in pre-season?

Gavin Reilly has been handed number 20 but he is set to depart on a six month loan to League Two side Cheltenham Town.

A few eyebrows have also been raised at new signing Luke Leahy being given the number 11 jersey with most fans viewing him as a full back rather than a winger, even though he has displayed he has plenty of attacking attributes and has played as a wing back throughout much of the last month.

Here are this season's squad numbers (new signings are in bold):

Jordi Van Stappershoef #1

Mark Little #2

Tareiq Holmes-Dennis #3

Abu Ogogo #4

Tony Craig #5

Ed Upson #6

Liam Sercombe #7

Ollie Clarke #8

Jonson Clarke-Harris #9

Tom Nichols #10

Luke Leahy #11