Roper to depart on loan?

Paul Merson says in the Evening Mail tonight that Ian Roper may be leaving on loan within the next week, while a Bristol evening paper is saying his likely destination may be Bristol Rovers.

It is likely that Roper will depart either on loan or pernament as he is now 5/6th in the pecking orser, however towards the end of last season he was a rock in defence with Anthony Gerrard and the team only conceeded two goals (both pens) in the last 5 games.

The sacrifice of roper will come as a cost cutting decision following the signing of Steve Staunton. Roper's wage is too much for a squad player with little chance of first team football.