Stock could be back in a month
IT could be another month before Doncaster Rovers know whether influential skipper Brian Stock can play again this season.
The 28-year-old Welsh international has had an injection to relieve a troublesome back problem and is walking again "almost pain free" according to manager Sean O'Driscoll.
But the Doncaster boss told the Free Press: "It could be up to four weeks before we know if he will be able to play a part in the run in.
"Brian is keen to give it a go and there are some important games in the last few weeks of the campaign.
"But it's a case of wait and see for the time being."
It looks less likely that on loan defender Jason Shackell will turn out again for Rovers this season.
O'Driscoll said: "Jason hasn't had surgery but it's a problem with the groin muscle which will take time.
"He's on a course of injections and back in rehabilitation but it looks to me as if it could take eight to 12 weeks and that would rule him out altogether.
"But he has a different view and he's determined to play for us again before the end.
"He's been spending time here - and at Wolves - but he always seems keen to get back here and is really motivated to get back in action.
"He's enjoyed his time here and has done a great job for us."
Centre backs Shelton Martis and Adam Lockwood, and midfielder Martin Woods, are all on the mend but are probably another week away before being ready for first team action.
None of them played in the midweek friendly against a strong Hull City side and are unlikely to figure in Saturday's match at Bristol City or next Tuesday' night's rearranged game at Preston.
The spate of injuries and disruption to midfield and defence has certainly affected Rovers in recent games but O'Driscoll was not looking for anyone else to blame after his team had allowed struggling Crystal Palace to hit back and snatch a point in Saturday's 1-1 draw at the Keepmoat.Club chairman John Ryan has announced that Rovers have made an official complaint about referee Neil Swarbrick who disallowed two Rovers 'goals', two penalty appeals and failed to send off Palace defender Clint Hill who was the last man when he brought down Billy Sharp as he raced clean through towards goal.
O'Driscoll said: "It's unusual to have so many major decisions go against you in one match and it's fair to say I disagreed with one or two of them - especially after having the benefit of watching them again on video.
"But we can't really dump the blame on anyone else for not winning the game because we created enough chances and should have been out of sight by half time."
Neil Warnock, taking charge of his last game as Palace boss, had a different view and was full of praise for the referee's performance.
O'Driscoll tried to alleviate the injury crisis last week when he snapped up highly rated Arsenal teenager Jay Emmanuel-Thomas on loan.
The 19-year-old 6ft 3ins former Gunners youth skipper scored against Rovers earlier in the season while on loan at Blackpool and came on to play a cameo role in his debut for Doncaster against Palace in the closing stages.
O'Driscoll said: "Jay is a very talented player who can play in a number of positions - midfielder, winger, striker - and I've even seen him play as a central defender and at left back.
"The challenge for us is to harness his talent and find the position that will suit him best for us.
"I think that will be closer to the opponent's goal than ours."
Rovers included a numer of trialists in the midweek friendly against Hull including 19-year-old centre back James McCarten, who is being released by Everton, a young Barnsley player and an Australian trialist.
The Doncaster boss said: "They are training with us but it's too early to say whether we will follow up our interest in any of them.
* Thorne fans meet at the Punchbowl tonight (7.30pm).
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Doncaster
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 1 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Light sleet
Temperature: -0 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: South east
