Full Doncaster Rovers injury update ahead of Reading fixture with question marks aplenty
Doncaster Rovers will make late checks on a number of players ahead of Saturday's home game against Reading.
Centre-half pair Matty Pearson (dead leg) and Neill Byrne (hamstring) both went off injured in last Monday's defeat at Exeter City and manager Grant McCann says both will be given as much time as possible to pass fitness tests. Fellow defender Jay McGrath is a big doubt though, as he continues to deal with the after-effects following a bout of tonsillitis.
McCann also provided an update on veteran Billy Sharp, who's currently sidelined with a calf injury.
Speaking to the media on Thursday, McCann said of Byrne and Pearson: "We're still unsure of them. Matty trained today and Neill was out doing a little bit. But it was nice to see them both out on the pitches. Matty may probably be ok but with Neill it's a bit more touch and go. He went for a scan and it’s (damage) very minimal. It’s similar to what Brandon Hanlan went for recently but it’s actually less than that which is pleasing for us and Neill. Matty’s is just a severe dead leg but he’s been managing that over the last few days. With that sort of injury you just need to get it moving and he has.
"As for Jay, he was ill leading into the Exeter game with tonsillitis. He had a bad night's sleep Sunday and declared himself to be ok to be involved so we put him on the bench but he's been struggling all this week.
"He's not been in all week so I doubt he'll make the game for Saturday. But Sean (Grehan) had another good week and has trained well."
As for Sharp, who's been absent since the draw at Bolton in mid-March, McCann was asked if he thinks Rovers fans will see him again before the season is out - his contract expires this summer and there's no option to extend as things stand.
"I think he will," said the Northern Irishman, "but I don't know when. He had a little bit of a tear in his calf but he's optimistic we'll see him at some point again (this season).
"We don't know what he wants to do next year, whether he wants to continue to play or go into coaching or management. He's got some decisions to make himself and we've not had that conversation yet.”