Bitter blow for AJ Greaves ahead of Doncaster Rovers' FA Cup clash with West Ham

The 20-year-old made his league debut off the bench last Saturday at Swindon Town before being handed his first league start in Tuesday’s win over Rochdale.

But he has been denied the chance of a third straight appearance - and against Premier League side West Ham United - having been cup tied in the FA Cup earlier this season.

Greaves was on loan with Northern Premier League outfit Gainsborough Trinity in the first half of the campaign and played in their defeat to AFC Mansfield in the FA Cup - ruling him out for Rovers this weekend.

And that has brought plenty of frustration for the Sheffield-born midfielder.

“I knew we were going to beat Blackburn because we’d lost in the Carabao Cup,” he said.

“When I saw West Ham beat Stockport I was fuming.”

Fellow Academy graduate Branden Horton has also suffered the same frustration as Greaves. The defender - who returned to Rovers earlier this month following his loan - played for Redditch United in their first qualifying round defeat to Hanley Town.

Though disappointed to be missing out, Greaves is backing his team mates to cause an upset at the London Stadium this weekend, and set up a tie with a top flight giant.

He said: “It’s everyone’s dream. The fourth round, you want a big club.

“And if you win, it’s a bonus with Liverpool or Manchester United next.

“It’s just up the Rovers.”

On his loan spell, Greaves said he took plenty from the experience of first team football and being placed firmly in the spotlight of competitive football.

But there was frustration too as the Northern Premier League was put on hold due to the restrictions enforced by the Covid-19 pandemic, leaving him in limbo for several weeks.

“It was a good-bad one,” he said.

“Because I’ve been on the bench quite a lot in the past with the first team, I don’t feel like I needed the experience of being in the changing room.

“I think I needed the experience of playing and being in front of fans paying to watch me to play, as well as the game time.

“The lads were good, Curtis Woodhouse is a good manager. He was tough but he was tough when he needed to get a reaction out of me and obviously he did.

“It got cut short and I had to wait a bit to get back in the team. I had to go without playing for a few weeks while I waited for the loan to end.

“But I was just training hard and waiting for my opportunity.”

An opportunity was presented by the departure last week of Ben Whiteman to Preston North End - and Greaves was determined to take it.

He said: “Ben has always spoken to me on and off the pitch, giving me tips, even in general with life and football.

“When he went I thought ‘the best player in League One has gone.’ But then I quickly thought that I’m going to show the gaffer that he doesn’t need to buy anyone because I am here.”

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In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.