League One news: Bristol Rovers boss Joey Barton responds to Preston link as former Portsmouth boss reacts to having whopping 26 players out of contract at Ipswich

We’ve pulled together the day’s biggest headlines from around the division to keep you bang up to speed with the latest developments.

Barton reacts to Preston link

Joey Barton has dismissed talk linking him with the Preston manager’s post.

The new Bristol Rovers boss is among the bookies’ favourites for the Deepdale post after Alex Neil’s departure.

But the Scouser has delivered an emphatic denial he’s in for the Championship role.

Barton told Bristol Live ‘It’s not April Fools' is it? I’ve reiterated since I’ve been at the club, what we came to Rovers for.

‘Walking around the city, I see fans interacting saying, "Go on the Gas, get the lads going”.

‘For me as a football man, that’s important to have that support.

‘The job that is in front of us has been tough, it hasn’t been easy, don’t get me wrong. But we always took on the project of what the football club could be within the city and nothing for me has changed.

‘Look, I know Peter Ridsdale and Preston is a fantastic club but Bristol Rovers is everything I need at this moment on my coaching journey.’

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Contract chaos no issue for Cook

Paul Cook is putting contract talks on hold despite Ipswich having a whopping 26 players’ deals up this summer.

The former Blues boss stated his focus is on his new club reaching the play-offs, despite the uncertainty around a huge number of players.

Cook TWTD.co.uk: ‘For me, we’ve got 10 games to try and get in these play-offs and if you look around the play-offs, every team’s stuttering, aren’t they?

‘Every team struggles to get those wins. I saw Gillingham have jumped into the play-offs last night with a good win at home and congratulations to Steve Evans on that.

‘We’ve got three games in hand (on Gillingham), Portsmouth have won back-to-back games, so they’ve jumped up.

‘At the minute, the contractual issues will always be a good debate and I don’t like players being out of contract, I’ve got to tell you that.

‘But the brutal reality is, probably what we’ve served up, including myself now, over six games has not been good enough for this club. The contractual situation will probably stay as it is until the end of the season.’

Charlton make change to set-up

Charlton have appointed former striker Jason Euell as first-team coach.

Euell will link up with new Addicks boss Nigel Adkins with the play-off chasers, after his arrival as Lee Bowyer’s successor last month.

Adkins told the BBC: ‘We're making sure that there is a clear pathway for the players and coaches with their development.

I am looking forward to working with this new coaching team, as we lay the foundations for the future.’

Deals not behind Donny drop-off

Doncaster boss Andy Butler is adamant contract worries aren’t behind his side’s drop in form.

The new Donny boss is winless in five after beating Pompey and Plymouth following his arrival after Darren Moore’s exit.

Butler told the Doncaster Free Press: ‘A few contract offers have been given out and we’re just waiting for feedback from the players.

‘The players are not getting distracted from their jobs at the moment.

‘It’s nice for someone to offer the contracts and get their futures sorted but one thing I will not let it do is distract them because they’re still professional.

‘There have been a few offers go out and the more we go down the line, others will be too.

‘I won’t name names but hopefully there will be a few more because we’ve got some good players in this team and we need to make sure we do what is right for this team.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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