Joe Edwards to Bristol Rovers transfer news

Bristol Rovers transfer target Joe Edwards is expected to stay at Plymouth Argyle and fight for his place instead of joining the Gas this summer,

Bristol Live understands, with the 33-year-old understood to have been subject to serious and sustained interest from the Gas.

There was confidence within Rovers that a deal could be struck for Edwards early in the window, after the club had come close to signing Edwards in January, as he had fallen out of favour with former boss Ian Foster, with Gas manager Matt Taylor and director of football George Friend particular admirers, viewing the veteran as an important and necessary dressing room presence.

It is believed that the Gloucester-born full-back, who started his professional career with Bristol City, was open to a move up the M5 due to personal reasons, but any negotiations regarding a deal have seemingly fallen through, with delays in negotiations and the arrival of Wayne Rooney at Home Park among the factors.

Edwards is a legend in that part of Devon, having made 223 appearances for Argyle and was a part of their promotion winning side two seasons ago, while he also scored the decisive goal against Hull City that kept the Pilgrims in the Championship on the final day of last term.