Doncaster Rovers ready for Stockport County challenge as Grant McCann comes up against old pal
Rovers kick off the new campaign with an EFL Cup tie
Doncaster Rovers travel to Stockport County on Saturday in the first round of the League Cup, as the 2026-27 season gets underway.
These two sides were familiar foes last term with three meetings - two in the league and one in the EFL Trophy. Sadly for Rovers, all three went County's way but they have a new feel about them this term.
After defeat in the League One play-off final, where they were trounced 4-1 by Bolton Wanderers, County parted ways with manager Dave Challinor. His replacement is Jim McNulty, who landed the role after leading Rochdale to promotion back into the EFL last season. McNulty's playing career saw him represent the Hatters as well as a string of other clubs including Barnsley, Brighton and Scunthorpe. And it was with the latter where he first crossed paths with Rovers chief Grant McCann.
Speaking ahead of the cup tie, McCann said: "Jim's a good young manager who I know quite well, having obviously played with him at Scunthorpe. He did an incredible job at Rochdale. It's never easy to get a team out of the National League, with only one team going up automatically so he deserves this opportunity."
County have kept a core of their squad from last season with veteran Oliver Norwood extending his stay and Ben Osborn re-joining permanently. Bright young talent Harry Wood was also signed, after Stockport beat off a host of clubs to win his signature.
"They're strong and I think they've recruited quite well," McCann added. "I think they've recruited sensibly for the style of Jim. At Rochdale he played a 3-4-3 with a box midfield and they were very possession-based.
"The goalkeeper (Whatmuff) is from Man City and he's really good on the ball. Their two sixes are comfortable on the ball, the two number tens, Diamond and Wood, are good and they've obviously got the threat of Kyle Wootton, who got about 20 goals last year.
"So they're a strong outfit, but it's a really good test for us. I think we've had a good pre-season. I feel like we're ready for the test now, and we've got to make sure we go and attack the game."