Doncaster Rovers turn to experience as McSheffrey arrival '˜adds quality in final third'

McSheffrey’s arrival from Scunthorpe United comes hard on the heels of the capture of midfielder Tommy Rowe, compensating for the loss of teenage pair Conor Grant and Lynden Gooch.

And the 33-year-old forward is unlikely to be the last new arrival before the emergency loan window closes later today - with Norwich goalkeeper Remi Matthews also understood to be set to put pen to paper.

There are concerns within the Rovers camp about the number of soft goals leaked during the 13-game run without a win, but McSheffrey has been brought in to bolster a goals-for column that is the third lowest in League One.

Ferguson said: “Gary’s got a lot of experience, he knows the league very well. He’s got really good quality in the last third of the pitch.

“He’s been on the radar for a little bit and it was proving difficult [to get him]. They wouldn’t let him out on loan but now they’ve decided to.

“He’s been in similar positions himself in terms of being in a relegation fight so he gives us vast experience.”

McSheffrey’s arrival is likely to put pressure on leading scorer Andy Williams, who is without a goal in 11 games, and left winger Cameron Stewart.

“It depends in terms of formations what we play but he can play just off the front or he can play wide,” said Ferguson, on the former Coventry and Birmingham man.

“He’s had plenty of assists in his career and plenty of goals. Even this season he’s not had that many games but he’s had both of them.

“He can pick people out, he’s got a good cross on him, he sees people. He’s got quality in the last third and always has had throughout his career.”

Meanwhile, Ferguson also said yesterday he could add two more players before today’s deadline - and one of them is believed to be 22-year-old goalkeeper Matthews.

Matthews is yet to make a senior appearance for the Canaries but has spent two spells on loan at Burton Albion.

Ferguson was unhappy with first-choice goalkeeper Thorsten Stuckmann last weekend after his costly error allowed Peterborough to score a stoppage time winner.