Doncaster Rovers: McCann has no regrets over playing Tommy Rowe in Checkatrade Trophy

Grant McCann insists he has no regrets over playing Tommy Rowe in last week's Checkatrade Trophy defeat to Newcastle United U21s.
Tommy RoweTommy Rowe
Tommy Rowe

Rowe suffered a hamstring injury early in the game and will now be out of action for up to ten weeks.

In the aftermath there has been some criticism of the decision to field skipper Rowe in the competition, with the 29-year-old starting at left back due to injuries to both Danny Andrew and Danny Amos.

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But McCann stands by his decision, labelling the injury a freak accident.

'I've no regrets whatsoever,' he said.

'It is what it is. It could have happened in training.

'That's how simple it was and how freaky it was.

'It's just a different part of his hamstring.'

Rowe underwent surgery on his hamstring late last season and made a surprisingly rapid return to action in time for the start of the season.

After another hamstring issue, McCann revealed he had conducted a full enquiry into the circumstances of the latest injury and discovered there was little that could have been done to prevent it.

'We've had a look at everything,' he said.

'The position he played in, was it because the full backs' intensity has been a lot greater than midfielders with sprint speed and high speed running?

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'But he only played 14 or 15 minutes so we can't really judge it on that.

'We're all disappointed but we'll have to get through it without him and I'm sure he'll be backing the team from the sidelines.

'He'll be around the group I'm sure.

'We're all gutted for him.

'He's a strong character, he's been through things like this before and he will come through it again.'

McCann insists the injury is not related to the one Rowe suffered earlier this year.

He said: 'It's definitely a different part.

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'The operation he had, the hamstring had come off the bone and they repaired that and it's fine.

'It's a different part of his hamstring. If that's related, I don't know, I don't think it is.

'Joe [Sharp, physio] has done a great job getting Tommy back.

'He's just so unfortunate it's another part of his hamstring we're going to miss him for.'

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The Rovers boss was particularly disappointed to lose his captain at a point where he was getting back up to full speed for Rovers.

Rowe had played a key role in the superb performance against Peterborough United earlier this month and looked to be finding his feet.

McCann said: 'He was brilliant against Peterborough and started the Newcastle game the other night in a different position.

'We're frustrated with losing him.'