Darren Moore explains team selection and naming only six subs for Doncaster Rovers at Sunderland

Cameron John returned to the side at left back with Reece James pushing up into the three-man advanced midfield, alongside Madger Gomes who came in for James Coppinger.

Moore - who also only named six substitutes - said his starting selection was designed to make Rovers more resolute on the left as well as providing attacking threat.

"It was just a bit of balance on that left hand side," he said.

"Losing Kieran Sadlier was a blow to us.

"To get Reece James further up the pitch, on his natural left foot plus Cameron behind with his aerial power and strength and speed - I thought it would work well with the combination.

"It turned it out to be that way.

"On the diagonal, switching the ball, Cameron was able to get the first contact.

"Reece was able to help him in front, shielding and giving that protection.

"I thought they both worked well and I had them in there for the balance of the team on that left hand side.

Moore said a burst of injuries in training prevented him from naming his full complement of substitutes at the Stadium of Light.

"We had a few injuries in training," he said.

"There was Kieran Sadlier, then Rakish Bingham and an ankle injury to Shane Blaney so we had to name six subs.

"Whether it's six or seven, only three can come on so that was it really.

"Rakish picked up a hamstring injury.

"It meant with those three and Alex Baptiste is probably still a couple of weeks away from really getting back out there."