Doncaster Rovers injury news ahead of Plymouth Argyle: updates on Sterry, Byrne, Collins and Nixon

Doncaster Rovers boss Grant McCann has confirmed that the group have no fresh injury concerns heading into their game with Plymouth Argyle at the weekend.

The likes of Neill Byrne, Sean Grehan and Brandon Hanlan were all substituted off the field in the 1-1 draw against Notts County on Tuesday evening after appearing to take knocks, but none of those are serious enough to rule them out for this week’s home match against Tom Cleverley’s side.

Speaking ahead of the game, McCann said: “Everybody's fine. Sean just twisted his ankle. He does that quite a bit, and he's fine after 24 hours. Neill’s fine and Brandon was just taken off with a cramp because he put a big shift in.”

Rovers, who are searching for their first league victory of the new campaign, are also edging closer to welcoming back a key member of the backline in Jamie Sterry after he was forced off the field against Middlesbrough with a hamstring injury.

The former Newcastle United man won’t be involved against Plymouth but is close to returning to first team action. McCann said: “Jamie should be back next week. I'd imagine he should be okay for Wimbledon.”

Sterry’s injury has led to Owen Bailey featuring as a makeshift right-back on occasion while last time out Sean Grehan stepped in to feature in that position.

That was largely due to Tom Nixon also being out injured with a calf problem. However, the right-back is also not too far away from coming back to provide extra competition in the Rovers backline.

McCann added: “Tom's probably a few days after Jamie.”

It leaves Matty Pearson, deadline day signing James Collins and fellow summer addition Frankie Okoronkwo as the only other missing players at this moment in time after Harry Clifton and James Husband both returned from their recent layoffs to feature from the bench against Notts County.

Pearson could return around the same time as Nixon, but the same cannot be said for Okoronkwo, who has suffered a fresh setback.

“It's difficult to say at this moment in time,” McCann explained.

“To be honest, I'm not really best placed to give a time frame. We've just got to see. It's not ideal for him.It happens, though. Sometimes when you're out with an injury like that, you can get setback a little bit. He sort of just needs to reset his mind again.

“We're not going to see him for a while. Time frame, I'm not sure. If anything, a few months. Like I said, I'm not best placed to give you any specific time when he's going to come back.

“It's not great for the lad.He's been through a bit of a tough time since he left here when he pulled his hamstring the first time.But he's a strong character. He's a positive type of person. You never want to wish this on anybody.”

However, McCann was able to offer an encouraging update on deadline day signing Collins, who is working his way back to fitness after sustaining an ACL injury in December.

He’s only on loan at the football club until January but is making considerable progress in his rehabilitation.

McCann said: “ We know he's closing in. He's out running. He's striking balls. He's twisting. He's turning. It's not like we're not going to see him in a Doncaster Rovers shirt. I think that will be a really good addition for us when he's back.

“He's been in a winning changing room. He knows what it takes to be successful and what success looks like. I think he'll help us.”