Doncaster Rovers: Darren Ferguson ready to make '˜tough decisions' on selection

Darren Ferguson has put the onus firmly on his Doncaster Rovers players to force their way into the team over the final few weeks of the season.
Alex KiwomyaAlex Kiwomya
Alex Kiwomya

Ferguson was blunt with his reasoning as to why Alex Kiwomya was not in his matchday squad for Saturday’s goalless draw at Gillingham.

The Rovers boss simply could find no place for the striker.

And he says he will have plenty more difficult decisions to make over selection with his squad in its best health so far this term.

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“The hardest thing for me now is going to be picking my bench,” Ferguson told The Star.

“I’ve got Tom Anderson, who will be fit for Milton Keynes.

“I’ll have a look at it and it might be a case of rotating the bench. Just to keep everyone involved.

“It’s part of my job, I’ve just got to manage it all the best way I can.”

Kiwomya’s omission was somewhat surprising given his impressive performance since making his Rovers debut in February.

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A bout of illness ruled him out of the Good Friday trip to Blackpool.

And with Ferguson keen to keep his squad from the Bloomfield Road trip as intact as possible, the 21-year-old was only part of the Gillingham away day as the extra man.

“Alex has got to find a way of getting back in the squad,” he said. “I think it would have been unfair if I’d left anyone else out.

“I wanted balance. I had two defenders, two midfielders and two attackers.

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“I had to make a decision between Alfie May, Andy Williams and Alex.

“Alfie and Willo were in the squad for Blackpool.

“I’ve now got decisions to make.”

Rovers also welcomed back club captain Andy Butler on Saturday, with the veteran handed a late cameo following almost three months out.

And Ferguson was delighted to see Butler back, something which will only increase his selection headaches.

“It was great,” he said.

“In typical Buts fashion be came on and let the striker know he was there.

“He’s a big player for us, Andy. But credit to Joe Wight and Mathieu Baudry, they’re doing really well.”