Doncaster Rovers boss gives latest on John Bostock's availability

Midfielder Bostock signed an 18-month deal with Rovers last week, having been a free agent since last October.

The 29-year-old has been building up his fitness in training and was not included in Saturday’s win over Lincoln City with Moore judging it to be too much of a risk to his longer term health.

And that sentiment will drive the thinking of the Rovers boss heading into this weekend’s clash with on form Oxford United.

“He’s had another good solid week training and he’ll have the rest of this week,” Moore said.

“He’s coming on strong and good and he’ll be more near where he needs to be at.

“With him, it’s important we keep working on him.

“I’ve been looking at the bigger picture that he’s in, but he’s in for the long term rather than just getting him ready for one or two games.

“We’ll see how it goes this week and see how he’s feeling.“We’ve been doing real vigorous work with him to make sure his muscles are firing and he’s getting into some football practice.

“We’ll get to the stage where we just needs the game time and he’ll get it.

“I’m not saying he’s not going to be involved at the weekend but we’ll just assess him.

“I thought with the Lincoln game, while there was the level of the game and how someone of his quality could impact it, I just thought it came too soon.

“The schedule has presented us with a long week to work with him and on the patterns and shape of what we’re all about.

“It was about getting him integrated into the group and among the bodies.”

Moore confirmed that Bostock’s fellow new signing Omar Bogle will not be available to make his Rovers debut this weekend.

Bogle tested positive for Covid-19 last week prior to joining up with the Rovers squad and will not exit his quarantine period until after Saturday’s game at the Keepmoat.

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