The career of potential Rovers catch David Clarkson

Bristol Rovers boss Mark McGhee has his eye on former City striker David Clarkson.

Clarkson trained at the club's Cribbs Causeway headquarters yesterday, and is expected to be part of the squad that travels to Exmouth to take on the Royal Marines in a friendly tomorrow.

The Scottish footballer’s career started at his local club Motherwell in December 2002. Making his debut at the age of 16, he enjoyed great success during his six-and-a-half years the club, establishing himself as a regular and being named voted player of the year.

In 2007, as he approached 200 appearances for the club, Clarkson penned a new two-and-a-half year deal to commit himself to the SPL side until 2010. The then 22-year-old striker had scored four goals that season.

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But by the summer of 2009, Clarkson was in talks with Bristol City. He signed a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee with the club in June, reported to have been in the region of £800,000.

Clarkson told the club's official website: "I'm feeling good, I'm looking forward to it, it's a big club.

"Moving here will help my chances of getting into the (Scotland) squad more often. I'm still young, I've got a lot to learn and Bristol City will be a great club to do that."

In September 2011, having made only 29 starts for the Robins, Clarkson went out on loan to Brentford.

City manager Keith Millen told the club’s official website: "This move allows David to go out and play some games.

"He's worked really hard in training and kept himself fit, as well as scoring regularly for the development team, and he will benefit from his loan spell with Brentford ."

The following month Clarkson admitted that between Bristol City being without a manager, and the possibility of extending his loan with Brentford unknown, he faced an uncertain future.

He hoped to rebuild his Bristol City career under new boss Derek McInnes, having been left out in the cold by previous manager Keith Millen, but the 26-year-old fell out of favour. He was also ruled out for the rest of the season in February with a fractured ankle picked up on his return to City.

Having played more than 60 times for the club during his three-year spell, Clarkson was released by the club in May 2012. He was one of eight players who were informed their contracts would not be renewed this summer.

It remains to be seen whether Clarkson, who also enjoyed an international career having been called up for Scotland’s friendly match against the Czech Republic in 2008, will move to Bristol Rovers on a permanent basis.

The response to Clarkson’s pre-season trial has so far been mixed.

Twitter user @Harrtron wrote: “If McGhee can pull of the signing of David Clarkson, we will have one of the best strikers in the division.”

And @GasheadKev said: “David Clarkson eh? Would be a decent signing ‪#bristolroversfc‬”.

But @JessAshton34xxx said: “David Clarkson I am very disappointed in you.”