Fear of missing out hit Jon Taylor during Doncaster Rovers absence

But it was not his own good run of form he was concerned about when sidelined with a hamstring injury - it was missing out on the enjoyment of featuring for the side.

“I love playing for this team and they way they play,” Taylor said. “You can just see it.

“Jamo [Reece James] just scored three goals in two games and the lad is a left back!

“It’s great to be a part of.

“You don’t want to missing any games but especially the way we play football and the gaffer wants us to play.

“You just want to be on the pitch helping with the lads.

“They’ve been amazing but you want to be out there battling for the three points and getting up the table.

“It’s just about keeping your head right, doing all the rehab and trying to get yourself back to match fitness.

“It’s hard with no friendlies or reserve matches at the minute but I’m naturally fit so I shouldn’t take too long to get back up to speed.”

Taylor had only been expected to miss around a week of action when he suffered the injury in the draw at AFC Wimbledon on November 3.

But a setback in training when pushed too hard hampered his return and he had missed almost six weeks by the time he returned off the bench in the win over Gillingham last weekend.

For a player as explosive as Taylor with his pace, attempting to ease back in gently was far from easy.

“When I first got injured I was only supposed to be out for seven to ten days and I’d only have missed the two cups games and be back for the Sunderland game,” he said.

“I had a bit of a recurrence and it was a nightmare.

“It was disappointing.

“The first game I came on, I was only for 15 minutes but when we got the stats back after I had hit the highest speed out of the whole team!

“With hamstrings you’ve got to be careful. I’ve never really had issues with hamstrings before so it’s all new to me.

“I just wanted to get back and I was running around. “

Prior to his injury, Taylor had been one of the top performers for Rovers this season and admits he is looking forward to getting back on track.

But he is also keen to hit the goals trail having gone close in his two appearances since his return.

He said: “I’ve loved getting at players, getting on the ball and getting the opportunities. I came on in the last couple of games and I probably should have had a goal in each.

“The first one was hard because I was running as fast as I could and trying to shoot. I said to the lads after I felt like I was going to fall over I was sprinting so fast.

“And I should have scored that volley against Swindon.

“Being out of the team for five weeks and coming on, I should have had a couple of goals so once I get back up to speed hopefully I can start adding some goals.”

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In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.