The experienced Doncaster Rovers trio that could help Grant McCann and his team ‘get through the dark times’

Doncaster Rovers boss Grant McCann is hoping to welcome back three experienced figures after the international break as he works to devise a plan to try and stop the current rut and get back to winning ways against promotion hopefuls Bradford City after the international break.

McCann has weathered plenty of storms in his time as Rovers boss. He recovered from a hugely disappointing first half of the season in the 2023/24 campaign to catapult the club into the League Two play-offs.

While he also steadied the ship last season to secure safety in League One after a difficult run of one win in 17 matches between September and January.

However, it could be argued that this is his toughest test yet after being subjected to a chorus of ‘sacked in the morning’ from his own supporters as his side were dumped out of the FA Cup by non-league Kidderminster, who sit 42 places below his team in the football pyramid.

That loss only compounded the negativity that had been brewing following the disappointment of a 6-1 loss at MK Dons only a week earlier.

“Yes, I am,” admitted McCann when asked if he was happy to see the international break come around.

He told the Free Press: “I got asked this question after Peterborough, the last time there was an international break. I was like, do you need the next game? I was like, no. But this time, definitely, I'm looking forward to resetting the group.”

He added: “What I do know in football is that you've got two choices. You throw it all up in the air and you either do it and carry on or you stick together. You get through the dark times. “

McCann has always spoken about the importance of having good characters and leaders in his team, and he’s hoping to have three key figures both and and off the field back at his disposal in the form of defenders Matty Pearson and James Husband along with a brand new face in striker James Collins, who’s still yet to make his debut in Red and White after a deadline day move from Lincoln City.

Rovers fans know exactly what to expect from Pearson.The 33-year-old played 37 matches across all competitions last term and is a commanding figure in defence.

He’s won promotion with Halifax Town and Luton Town, been in relegation battles with Barnsley and Huddersfield Town - and is very much the type of figure that's constantly barking orders at those around him, something that's very much key to making a defence as hard to break down as possible. Pearson has hardly kicked a ball in the league this season but could provide a real sense of stability in the backline.

Husband is another leader that's had injury challenges to deal with. He too has been involved in promotion-chasing campaigns and relegation battles throughout his career, experiencing both at Rovers as a young defender.

Over the last decade he has gained significant experience at the likes of Norwich City, Fleetwood Town and most notably Blackpool where he racked up over 200 appearances while also becoming captain.

Shoring up the defence will be vital given the club’s recent defensive fragilities, but in equal measure scoring more goals is paramount if Rovers are to start climbing the table.

Collins could be the man to solve this issue. He has 84 goals in 230 appearances at this level and is very much someone that fits into the category of an old-school number nine in the sense that he’s physical, can hold the ball up and knows how to occupy defenders.

He’s someone that offers a different dimension to May in that sense, but in equal measure could also be an effective strike partner for the former Birmingham City forward, should McCann be tempted to try something different.