Bristol Rovers look set to remain at their Wiltshire training base for at least the first few months of 2009, writes Chris Swift.

The Pirates announced last summer that they would be moving back to Bristol after agreeing a five-year deal to use revamped facilties at the South Bristol Sports Centre – formerly the Imperial Sports Ground – in Knowle.

But the club are expected to release a statement in the coming weeks confirming that the switch has continued to be delayed because of drainage problems at the site.

Club groundstaff have been working to help correct the problem and remedial works are understood to include laying new drainage bands similar to those that were put in to help improve the surface at the Memorial Stadium last summer.

But the likelihood is that the club will continue to train at the Azimghur Barracks at Colerne until the newly-laid pitch designed specifically for first-team use at the site is up to standard.

There are two other pitches at the Knowle site that are earmarked for use by the youth team as well as a full-sized all-weather facility.

The centre underwent a £3 million improvement programme last year, and boasts a fully-equipped gymnasium, treatment and changing rooms, plus a steam and sauna suite as well as a manager's office.

The club are understood to be paying around £50,000 a year to use the South Bristol site with an option to extend the agreement in the future.

Rovers' last full-time training base in Bristol was at Golden Hill, which they quit five years ago to move to Colerne.

The club were originally expected to move to the WISE complex at Filton College, but prolonged problems over the condition of the pitches there scuppered that plan.

The switch to Knowle was agreed after 12 months of negotiations and originally scheduled for last autumn, but has been repeatedly put back due to the drainage problems.

Depending on how quickly the surface improves, Rovers may even have to put their plans to move on hold until the build-up to next season.