DONCASTER ROVERS: Stick or twist dilemma as injuries threaten to halt solid start

Rovers' David Cotterill fires in the equaliser against Brentford. Picture: Andrew Roe

By Paul Goodwin
Published on 26/10/2012 08:44

ROVERS’ board are facing an early-season dilemma: sit tight as a mini injury pile-up worsens or back manager Dean Saunders with extra funds.

Saunders’ patched up team produced another tireless display to stun leaders Tranmere this week - a fourth away win which saw Rovers go sixth in League One.

But Tuesday night’s dramatic 2-1 victory came at a cost, with in-form David Cotterill’s pulled calf likely to keep him out of Saturday’s trip to Notts County.

Saunders’ biggest headache, however, is at the back.

Paul Quinn is still troubled by a groin problem and may require a spell on the sidelines, while James Husband’s cramp at Prenton Park was a sign that he is not one hundred per cent either.

Jamie McCombe is out for at least another month with a back problem and doubts persist over sidelined Shelton Martis’s ability to string a run of games together.

Saunders has been given permission to add one more defender to his squad - possibly in time for this weekend.

But the need for further defensive reinforcements could scupper his plans to sign former Coventry midfielder Sammy Clingan.

Rovers’ boss will also run the rule over experienced defender Andy Griffin at Cantley Park before deciding whether to offer the former Newcastle and Stoke full back a short term deal.

Saunders said: “We’ll try and do something.

“We’ve got enough players in forward areas but defensively we’re short.

“If anything happens to Rob Jones we’re in serious trouble.

“It’s about getting the right players in though.

“This league is a bit different because a lot of the teams play direct - so you need a certain type of player to be able to counter that.”

Saunders, meanwhile, was not getting carried away despite seeing his side ruin Tranmere’s unbeaten home record.

“It was a brilliant result but there’s still lots to work on,” he said.

“We didn’t keep the ball well enough - but I can’t fault the players for effort.”

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DONCASTER ROVERS: Stick or twist dilemma as injuries threaten to halt solid start

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