Doncaster Rovers: Striker hunt on as loan duo depart

Darren Ferguson is trying to sign a striker before the emergency loan window closes on Thursday.
Lynden Gooch has had to return to his club Sunderland because of injuryLynden Gooch has had to return to his club Sunderland because of injury
Lynden Gooch has had to return to his club Sunderland because of injury

Midfielder Tommy Rowe has joined on loan from Wolves until the end of the season as a replacement for Conor Grant, who has returned to Everton with an Achilles injury.

Lynden Gooch’s loan spell at Rovers has also been ended by an injury the young Sunderland forward sustained on his Doncaster debut in January.

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With striker Curtis Main controversially opting to remain on loan at relegation rivals Oldham Athletic, Ferguson hopes to bolster his attacking ranks before this week’s deadline.

Only Blackpool, whose win at Crewe on Saturday saw Rovers drop into the bottom four, and Oldham have scored fewer league goals than Rovers this season.

“We’ve brought Tommy in to replace Conor and I’ll be looking to bring a striker in if I can,” said Ferguson, following Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Peterborough.

“We’ve got Tyson, Willo and Liam Mandeville that can play up top. Cameron Stewart can play there but I think we need to look to get another striker in.

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“We’ve been trying all week. We’ve had one or two knock-backs, but we’re still trying.”

On Grant and Gooch, Ferguson said: “Conor’s picked up a problem with his Achilles. He’s in a boot and he’ll be out for a while. He won’t be back.

“Lynden picked up the injury at Fleetwood in his first game would you believe? He’s been carrying a little bit of a knock and was managing it okay. But actually a scan showed he’s got a floating bone in his ankle and the medical people were quite surprised it’s not fractured.

“It’s a couple of big losses for us. They’re both good players.”