Bristol Rovers defender set to remain at Gas following deadline day interest elsewhere
Jack Hunt is set to stay at Bristol Rovers for the remainder of the season following a elsewhere, Bristol Live understands.
The right-back was subject to a late push from League One rivals Shrewsbury Town on deadline day while it is understood that there had been interest from multiple League Two clubs too.
Not only are Shrewsbury in the same league as Rovers, they are also very much fighting for their survival in the third tier with manager Gareth Ainsworth overseeing an improved turnaround in results since his arrival in November.
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However, Inigo Calderon is understood to have been extremely keen to hold onto the experienced right-back who massively impressed in his first appearance in three months against Peterborough United on Sunday and he will subsequently be staying put at Rovers.
Hunt is set to be out of contract with the Gas at the end of the season and has hardly played this campaign amid selection and injury issues. A move last summer had been mooted but nothing materialised with the defender having to wait until late September for his first appearance of the season.
After a brief run back in the side under former manager Matt Taylor, the 34-year-old suffered a calf tear in November, keeping him sidelined for the best part of two months.
However, Hunt has been fully fit for the past few weeks but hadn't been selected by Calderon until he was handed a start in Sunday's 3-1 win over Peterborough.
The right-back majorly impressed and received numerous plaudits from supporters online, pleading for the defender to now get a run of games.
It is no secret that since his arrival at Rovers in 2023, the former Bristol City and Sheffield Wednesday right-back's time in BS7 has been plagued by injuries with the 34-year-old's longest streak of consecutive appearances in blue-and-white quarters being seven games.
Right-back has been a problem area for the Gas this campaign though with summer arrival Joel Senior suffering a long-term injury just weeks into his time at the club before struggling for consistent game time since his return to fitness while Taylor Moore, who is primarily a centre-back, has often been deployed there recently.
It is likely that Hunt will depart Rovers as a free agent at the end of the season upon the expiration of his contract but the hope is that the club can benefit from his quality and experience for the remaining three months of the campaign.
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