ROVERS face a busy summer as Darrell Clarke strives to recruit the players needed to mount a promotion challenge next season.

After finishing in a highly creditable 10th place, the challenge is now on to improve on that position and aim for the play-offs.

He will know more than anyone the strengths and weaknesses of the squad and where the priorities for recruitment lie.

Hopefully Lumley will be between the sticks again next season if another loan or better still permanent deal can be reached with QPR. If not, a new goalie will be a priority.

Sweeney was an imposing figure at the heart of defence which helped to stop us leaking goals when he joined on loan in January.

If another deal can be agreed with Stoke he would be welcomed back, otherwise Clarke will have to decide whether Burn or Partington can step up or if he needs to find a new central defender.

Midfield creativity and cover is also needed while one or two strikers should be high on the manager’s shopping list.

We were heavily reliant on Bodin’s goals in the second half of the season and although Gaffney and Harrison formed the main striking partnership in the last few games, some fresh blood is needed to score the goals to propel us into a top six team.

At the end of last season we also saw the departure of coach Steve Yates, who left his position to move to Crete with his family.

His passion on the sidelines and loyalty to the club will be sorely missed and all Gasheads will wish him well.

Hopefully the summer will see an announcement on the long-awaited UWE stadium plans as we still wait patiently for what we hope will be a positive outcome to lengthy negotiations.

League One will be a tough division again but if the right calibre of players can be added to an already impressive squad there is no reason why we cannot be competitive and look forward to another exciting season.