Newport County targeting non-league ace amid interest from 2 other clubs

According to writer Pete O’Rourke on X, Swindon Town, Doncaster Rovers, and Newport County are interested in signing Boston United defender Jai Rowe.

The League Two three are all linked with a move for the non-league player this summer as they attempt to strengthen their separate squads. Rowe, 22, just helped his current team secure promotion from the National League North to the National League with a play-off victory over Brackley Town.

Rowe, who is from Nuneaton, faces an unclear future at the Jakemans Community Stadium, as his contract expires at the end of next month. He has been offered a new contract, as indicated on the club’s retained list, but has yet to sign it.

In the most recent report on his condition by journalist O’Rourke on X, he has come on the radar of Swindon Town, Doncaster Rovers, and Newport County. He must make a decision amid attention from the Football League.

Swindon Town, Doncaster Rovers and Newport County eye defender

Last month, O’Rourke said on X that Dundee United and Shrewsbury Town were looking to sign Rowe. However, the latter’s manager, Paul Hurst, downplayed his side’s interest in him, telling BBC Sport Shropshire: “He was at Scunthorpe in an Under-21s group that the club was trying to experiment with there.”

I know the player, and you will hear me repeat this often: don’t believe everything you read or hear. “Whether it’s a lazy link or an agent doing his job.” Rowe began his career at Nuneaton Borough and Barwell before heading to Glanford Park to join Scunthorpe United.

He went on to play 92 games for the Iron as a teenager and in the Football League until being relegated to the fifth division in 2022.

Rowe returned to Scunthorpe United for the first half of the season before joining Aldershot Town. Boston United then signed him last summer, and he has been an important player for the Pilgrims.

This past season, he appeared in 34 games in all competitions, scoring five goals and assisting once.

What next?

Doncaster Rovers will be looking for promotion to League One again under Grant McCann after losing to Crewe Alexandra in the play-offs, and Rowe may provide additional competition and depth to their squad.

Swindon Town and Newport County both had dismal seasons in 2023/24 and might benefit from adding some new faces to their lineups.