Rovers boss hoping for Lumley return

Bristol Rovers boss Darrell Clarke has told BBC Radio Bristol he is hoping Joe Lumley returns to the Memorial Stadium.

The QPR goalkeeper, 22, impressed while on loan at Rovers this season, as did Stoke City defender Ryan Sweeney.

Asked if there was a chance both players could be part of his squad next term, Clarke said: “I’d like to think so.”

He added: “It’s about potentially investing in the team now, not on 29 or 30-year-olds but young players like Joe Lumley or Ryan.

“It’s that sort of calibre I’d like to bring in, but these things are easier said than done.”

Lumley is under contract at QPR until 2019, having been given a three-year contract at Loftus Road last summer.

But he is currently behind Alex Smithies and Matt Ingram in the pecking order at Rangers, who are keen for Lumley to play first-team football.