Players given time to 'switch off' ahead of new season

DARRELL Clarke has confirmed that he has already spoken to a couple of Bristol Rovers players since returning to the Mem, but the Rovers boss insists that the coming weeks serve as a good opportunity for the squad to "switch off" following their relegation from League One, writes Daniel Carter.

- Daniel Carter

Having been confirmed as Inigo Calderon’s successor less than 72 hours after the former Brighton youth coach had left the Mem following the final day of the season, the 47-year-old Clarke is planning to afford the squad some downtime before the real work begins in pre-season.

“I've spoken to a couple of players and I'll have more conversations with them in early June when they come back in,” the Rovers boss told Bristol Live at The Quarters on Monday. “But I think it’s a good time for them to switch off mentally from it.