Doncaster Rovers suffer ‘frustrating’ injury blow to Will Keane as encouraging James Collins update emerges

Doncaster Rovers are likely to be without striker Will Keane for the next four weeks.

The 33-year-old forward, who only signed for the club in October, sustained a calf injury during the team’s EFL Trophy win over Rochdale and was substituted off the field after just three minutes.

“Will Keane will be out for a while,” said Grant McCann.

“He's pulled his calf. We’re probably looking at four weeks or so. Which is frustrating.”

Keane’s absence will come as a big blow to Rovers, who had benefited from the striker’s arrival on a free transfer.

The former Preston North End man made a positive impression in losses to Leicester City and Stockport County during cameos from the subs bench, earning himself a place in the starting lineup for the 2-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday where he proved an excellent focal point for those around him due to his strength, ball control and ability to link the play.

However, his current setback means Rovers fans may not see much more of him before his current deal expires in January.

As it stands, Rovers’ only striking options are Alfie May and Brandon Hanlan - two players that scored at Rochdale in the EFL Trophy - while struggling to make the same impact in the league in recent weeks.

However, that could soon be about to change with the long-awaited return of James Collins. A player signed on deadline day is still yet to play after joining from Lincoln City as he reaches the latter stages of his rehabilitation from an ACL injury sustained last December.

Collins, like Keane, is a former Golden Boot winner in this division, while he’s also someone that notably formed part of Lincoln’s title-winning team in this division last term.

“James Collins will be back with us next week,” said McCann in an encouraging update.

Elsewhere, Rovers are likely to be without Tommi O’Reilly, James Husband and Matty Pearson, but the trio are all getting closer to getting on the pitch.

McCann added: “Jamie Sterry is back training.”

“Tommy O’Reilly, Matty Pearson, James' Husband are getting closer. They’ll probably be back in a week or so, maybe two weeks.”