What Doncaster Rovers boss Grant McCann said about Jamie Sterry’s chances of returning against AFC Wimbledon

Doncaster Rovers manager Grant McCann has provided an update on the fitness of Jamie Sterry as the experienced right-back edges closer to full fitness.

The 30-year-old has been a regular fixture in the Rovers backline for all three of McCann’s seasons back in DN4 and experienced a steady start to this campaign - notably scoring a panenka penalty in the shoot-out win over Stockport County in the League Cup and also playing the full 90 in an opening day defeat to Mansfield and a 0-0 draw at home to South Yorkshire rivals Barnsley.

Sterry wore the captain’s armband in the first-half of Rovers cup exit to Middlesbrough but was forced off the pitch with a hamstring issue which has since seen him miss four matches across all competitions.

However, McCann has assured supporters that the severity of the injury is not as bad as first feared and has previously suggested that this weekend’s game with AFC Wimbledon could be a possible return date.

When asked for an update on the Newcastle United academy graduate following the defeat to Huddersfield in the EFL Trophy, McCann explained that while that timeline is still very feasible he won’t take any risks with the defender.

McCann said: “We'll see. We'll give him as long as we possibly can.

“If he's right, 100 per cent right, we'll play him. If he's not, we won't. We won't be taking any sort of gambles this early in the season with anybody.”

Rovers have experienced a real challenge in the right-back department with the likes of Owen Bailey and more recently Sean Grehan being asked to do a job in a less natural position.

That’s happened because Tom Nixon, who hasn’t played in a competitive match since April, is also nursing an injury.

However, Rovers could soon another option in their backline with the 23-year-old making steady progress in his rehabilitation.

Speaking about the other absentees, McCann added: “Nixon's been training. Frankie, obviously, no update. We'll not see him for a few months, I wouldn't imagine. James Collins, the international break is probably coming at a good time for us.”