Bristol Rovers forward Tom Nichols set for loan move to League Two Cheltenham Town

The striker was told by Ben Garner that he could leave the club at the start of the window and has now found his move

Bristol Rovers striker Tom Nichols is set to leave the club on loan and join League Two side Cheltenham Town.

The forward has fallen out of favour at the Mem after struggling for goals this season and is now preparing for a move away.

Bristol Live exclusively reported at the start of the month that Nichols had been told by Ben Garner that he was allowed to leave the club in January, and hasn't featured in the match day squad in recent weeks.

After scoring just two goals in 19 league appearances this season, it was deemed that the former Peterborough United striker was surplus to requirements as Garner looked for more prolific goalscorers.

As first reported by the BBC's Alistair Durden this morning, Bristol Live understands that Nichols will now have a medical at the League Two promotion candidates before completing a move to Whaddon Road.

Nichols joined the Gas from Peterborough in 2017, but has scored just nine goals in 115 appearances during spells under Darrell Clarke and Graham Coughlan, with his last goal for the club coming in the 2-1 win over Ipswich in December.

He has had the support of his team mates during his time at the Mem, with Jonson Clarke-Harris giving an impassioned plea for fans to back the player, saying he wouldn't have scored as many goals without the help of Nichols.

However the arrivals of attacking players Josh Barrett, Timmy Abraham, Josh Ginnelly and Jayden Mitchell-Lawson have pushed Nichols further down the pecking order as Ben Garner looks to implement his own style of play.

Cheltenham were credited with an interest in Nichols at the start of the window, but fears over a goalkeeping injury crisis appeared to put a stopper in any immediate switch.

However he will now join the Robins, who currently sit in eight in League Two table.

Ben Garner is still looking to add reinforcements to his squad and new deals could be announced today. But Nichols isn't the only forward expected to leave in January.

Bristol Rovers have received a bid for key man Jonson Clarke-Harris from Charlton Athletic, and the clubs remained locked in transfer negotiations as the clock ticks away.