VIDEO - Doncaster Rovers: Ferguson explains James Coppinger substitution plus injuries to Anderson and Beestin

Darren Ferguson said he had no choice but to take off James Coppinger in Doncaster Rovers' defeat at neighbours Rotherham United.
By The Newsroom
Published 24th Feb 2018, 23:27 BST
Updated 25th Feb 2018, 10:25 BST
Alfie Beestin is given treatment after suffering ankle damage in a challengeAlfie Beestin is given treatment after suffering ankle damage in a challenge
Alfie Beestin is given treatment after suffering ankle damage in a challenge

Coppinger was replaced by Jordan Houghton early in stoppage time with Ferguson explaining the veteran midfielder was suffering from cramp.

"I had to take Copps off because we was cramping up," Ferguson said.

Alfie Beestin is given treatment after suffering ankle damage in a challengeAlfie Beestin is given treatment after suffering ankle damage in a challenge
Alfie Beestin is given treatment after suffering ankle damage in a challenge

"I didn't want to because he was our best player.

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"He was outstanding, his composure on the ball every time he got on it he looked after it.

"He was giving them a problem but I had to take him off.

"I won't use the word he used but he was shattered."

Alfie Beestin is given treatment after suffering ankle damage in a challengeAlfie Beestin is given treatment after suffering ankle damage in a challenge
Alfie Beestin is given treatment after suffering ankle damage in a challenge

Rovers suffered two considerable injury blows at the New York Stadium with Tom Anderson and Alfie Beestin both requiring lengthy treatment and being stretchered off.

Anderson was involved in a heavy clash with goalkeeper Marko Marosi and suffered a head injury while Beestin damaged his ankle in a 50-50 challenge with Rotherham's Richard Wood.

Ferguson said: "I don't know if Tom was knocked out.

"The way he has fallen, there was no support for his head or his neck.

"It didn't look very good I have to say.

"Beestin is a bad one. I think it looks like his ankle.

"You would imagine it was some sort of ligament damage.

"That wasn't a foul, it was a good strong tackle from the boy. I wasn't complaining about that at the time, it was more about the linesman not giving us a corner."