‘Shouldn't be at this level’ - Doncaster Rovers boss Grant McCann on Sheffield Wednesday clash

Doncaster Rovers manager Grant McCann believes Sheffield Wednesday are a club that should not be playing in League One as his side prepare to welcome their South Yorkshire rivals on Saturday.

Wednesday were relegated from the Championship in a bleak campaign which saw the club hit with a transfer embargoes and an 18-point deduction.

However, they’ve since been taken over by Arise Capital Partners LLC, an American consortium led by aviation services executive David Storch, who has stuck by manager Henrik Pedersen and backed him in the transfer window with an array of signings to try and fire the club straight back into the second-tier.

The Owls sit just outside the play-off places at the moment, with McCann expecting a difficult test against a side he feels recruited well during the summer.

“I think they're a team that probably shouldn't be at this level, let's be honest,” said McCann.

“They're a massive football club that have had good recruitment in the summer with some really good young players coming in whether on loan or signing permanently.”

Rovers will be looking to record a win after consecutive defeats against Leicester City and Stockport County saw the team drop to 19th position in the table.

“It's a Yorkshire derby. I think we've been pretty good over the years since I've been here and we want to make this one the same,” he said.

“I think the most important thing in these derby games is making sure you keep your emotions in check.

“Over the years, all the games that we've played in derby games, we've been pretty consistent and good in them, so hopefully we can do it again.”

McCann acknowledged the importance of the fixture to supporters, with Rovers aiming to turn the occasion into three valuable points.

“Any derby game, there's always one you look forward to and no doubt our fans will be really looking forward to it,” he said.

“All we want to do is try and please them with three points.”

Asked whether Wednesday's recent defeat at Notts County could make them a wounded animal, McCann said his focus was on preparing his own team in the best fashion.

“We've studied them, we've had scouts at the games, we'll try and come up with a plan to navigate what they're about but most importantly, how can we go and hurt them,” he said.

“That's what we'll do for this game, like we do for every game.”