‘Always a risk’ - Doncaster Rovers boss provides injury update ahead of Sheffield Wednesday clash
The latest updates on Jamie Sterry, James Husband and Jack Senior as Grant McCann hopes to welcome back some key names
Grant McCann’s injury-hit Doncaster Rovers team suffered their second defeat in the space of four days, losing 2-0 at home to a Stockport County side that have been knocking on the door of the Championship for the last few years after defeat in the play-off final last term.
The Vikings were without 10 first team players for the loss on Tuesday night, with substitute goalkeeper Josh Clarke and defender Tom Nixon becoming the latest additions to a growing list of players currently in the treatment room.
“10 players missing tonight which is big for every team,” McCann told the Free Press.
“Particularly for our side and our budget and stuff like that so it's tough. Josh has had an injection in his finger so we'll see how he is.Tom Nixon's got a tight calf.”
McCann went on to discuss some of the names closest to a return with a South Yorkshire derby at home to Sheffield Wednesday on the horizon this weekend.
“Tommy O'Reilly and Jordan Thomas are both ill. But Jamie Sterry and Jack Senior have both trained the last few days. so we just want to build them up.
“I'd love them back because they're the two best full backs in the league in my opinion. Let's see, James Husband also ran today.”
When asked about the prospect of any of his players, particularly those mentioned in the full-back positions, returning to the fold, McCann added: “I don't know, it's always a risk isn't it? It's when we need to take this risk, risk them back and get them in.
“It's difficult because Jamie and Jack are desperate to get back but when they come back and we want to keep them back.”
In recent weeks, Doncaster Rovers have had to line up with a 3-5-2 formation due to their lack of options in the full-back positions, often leading to players such as Leon Ayinde and Bayley McCann among others playing in the wing-back roles.
Commenting on the formation, McCann said: “We're having a play formation, which is different because there's no full backs and we haven't really got an option to play any other way.”