Ian Evatt hails Cameron Jerome impact after Bristol Rovers cameo

Ian Evatt praised Cameron Jerome’s impact on and off the pitch – and says the veteran is “a big part of the dressing room” at Wanderers.

Jerome came on for the final 13 minutes at Bristol Rovers and won the penalty which Aaron Morley stuck away in stoppage time.

“I will keep banging the same drum, he deserves our respect,” Evatt insisted. “He is a big part of the dressing room and helps us on and off the pitch.

“Sometimes the supporters don’t necessarily see the work he does with the other strikers and the rest of the team.

“He has been around the block, he understands what it takes to be promoted and is still able to do the job, which is really important.

“He came on today, was a real handful and got us a penalty which sealed it for us.”

Aaron Collins got on the scoresheet against his former club with a lovely finish to lift the ball over the onrushing Jed Ward.

“It was a really good finish, just a moment of quality and calmness,” the manager added.

“With what is on the line for us and at that stage of the game, against your former club, to have that clarity of thought and the type of finish it was, it was quality and exactly why we brought him in.”

West Brom loanee Caleb Taylor returned to the squad and got a few minutes off the bench in the final stages.

The young centre-back has spent the past couple of months on the sidelines after picking up an injury.

“It is good that we have got Caleb back because he is a really good, young player and will help us,” Evatt stated.

“Hopefully, Gethin is not going to be too far away now and Dion is not too far either. Fingers crossed, we can keep them all in one piece but I am slightly concerned about Josh and Rico.”