Bristol Rovers are closing in on making former AFC Wimbledon, West Brom and Cardiff City midfielder Romaine Sawyers their first signing of the January transfer window on a free transfer, Bristol Live understands, after the 33-year-old left the Dons on Monday to "pursure a new challenge."

As first reported by the South London Press, Sawyers is expected to join the Gas having spent the past month at Wimbledon in League Two following his release from Cardiff last summer.

The midfielder played five times for the Dons, scoring one goal, having signed a one-month contract in December amid an injury crisis at the club.

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However, on Monday it was announced on the club's official social media channels that the 33-year-old has "departed to pursure a new challenge."

With the likes of West Brom, Cardiff, Stoke City and Brentford on his CV while playing over 500 professional games at club level and earning 49 caps for St. Kitts and Nevis, Sawyers should provide much-needed experience in Rovers' young squad.

The Gas currently have just five players in their thirties with most of their squad aged 25 or younger and are in need of some more senior heads to help steer the club well clear of any danger.

Rovers are 20th in League One and five points clear of the relegation zone but there is hope that under new head coach Inigo Calderon, the Gas can start climbing the table over the coming weeks and months.

Following Jake Garrett's return to parent club Blackburn Rovers last week, Rovers are slightly light in midfield with it an area prioritised for strengthening this month. Kamil Conteh's expected return date from injury is still unclear after picking up a mysterious issue while Jamie Lindsay, Grant Ward, Luke McCormick and Isaac Hutchinson are the Gas' other natural options in the middle.

Sawyers hasn't played in the FA Cup this season so should be available for the Gas' third round tie at Ipswich Town on Sunday should the deal be completed in time.

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