Harry Clifton discusses his aims for the season he closes in on key Doncaster Rovers landmark

Doncaster Rovers midfielder Harry Clifton says he was ‘itching to play’ and shows what he can do after a challenging injury-hit start to the new campaign.

Clifton is yet to start a league match, in a campaign which has so far been disrupted by a couple of injuries, including a double hernia during the most recent international break.

He did, however, make his first start since September against Rochdale in the EFL Trophy and took advantage of his opportunity by assisting Alfie May for the equalising goal in a match which Rovers would go on to win comfortably to secure their place in the knockout stages of the competition.

“I felt really good on Tuesday,” said Clifton.

“I was itching to get out there and get playing. Obviously, the season's been a bit stop-start as well with injuries and things and maybe not played as much as I'd liked.

“And that's when you do get that chance, you're sort of itching to play and show what you can do. So, I felt like I did that to an extent on Tuesday and there's hopefully more to come.”

When discussing the challenges of being out of the team, Clifton added: “It's one of the hardest things in football, I think, for some lads is staying focused and keeping up, keeping their fitness.

“But I know in my experience that you've got to be ready mentally and physically because you never know when you can get that opportunity.And then if you don't take it and then you can find yourself on the sideline again.

“So, yeah, it's important that you're ready physically, mentally. So it's training right, doing everything right, even though you're not getting the rewards, maybe on a weekend where you're playing as much as you want.

“But it's all those little things and keeping that belief and that you'll get that reward. So hopefully I can stay fit first and foremost and go on a bit of a run now.”

Clifton is currently in his third season with Doncaster Rovers having helped the club win the League Two title in his first term, while also playing an important role in helping the club secure survival in their first year back in League One.

An appearance against Kidderminster on Saturday would take him to a century of appearances for Rovers.

He added: “It'll be a proud moment if that is to happen on Saturday. I think obviously I'd like to finish it off with a win as well and have a memorable day. But yeah, to hit 100 appearances at any club, I think is a good milestone and it shows that you've put time into the club.

“And I feel like there's many more appearances that I want to play. And I think I'm capable of doing that as well.”