League Two manager 'confident' former Irish League star will sign permanent contract

Balmer joined Rovers on loan from Scottish Premiership outfit Motherwell in January and was a mainstay in Evans’ line-up, making 22 league appearances, scoring twice in the process.

The 25-year-old came through the ranks at Ballymena United and won a Co Antrim Shield with Larne before earning a dream move across the water to Crystal Palace.

He was named on the bench for three Premier League fixtures by Patrick Vieira but never made an English top-flight appearance for the Eagles.

Balmer enjoyed loan spells at Port Vale and AFC Wimbledon during his time at Selhurst Park and joined Motherwell in 2024.

Having made only five league outings this season, Balmer was sent on loan to Rovers and now looks set to extend his stay – reports suggest he has signed a two-year pre-contract.

"I know that the chief executive and our chairman have been in long dialogue with the people who have looked after Kofi," Evans told BBC Radio Bristol. "Motherwell have been fantastic to deal with as well - I'm confident that in time Kofi will be with us for sure."

Balmer has been named on Northern Ireland’s bench six times – the most recent coming in friendly fixtures against Switzerland and Sweden in March 2025, while he was also called up in August – but is yet to make his senior debut.

Evans has full confidence that Balmer can establish himself in the international set-up by continuing to impress at Rovers – they finished the term by winning eight of their last nine matches.

"When he's got into his run of games and his second wind and training every day and with the tempo to play the games, he's been nothing short of exceptional for us," he added. "We signed the lad who had been an international, who had come away from the international scene, Kofi has played in the last six or eight weeks like a full international player for Bristol Rovers.

"I've got no doubt he'll obtain that status again if or when he joins us."