Hakeeb Adelakun's Doncaster Rovers absence explained as Grant McCann doubles down on disappointment

The winger started the previous game, seven days prior at Rotherham United, but was not included in the 18-man matchday squad for the visit of the Bluebirds. Rovers were comprehensively beaten 4-0 by the league leaders on a day to forget.

When asked by the Free Press why Adelakun, 29, was absent, manager McCann said: "It was just more to do with what I felt we needed today. There's decisions every game and that was the bench we went with today."

Some Rovers fans took a sharp intake of breath late on in the defeat when winger Luke Molyneux stayed down before eventually continuing, albeit gingerly, after taking a whack.

On that, McCann allayed any concerns saying: "He just got a kick. He's always getting little kicks! Luke's fine, he's robust."

McCann also confirmed Everton loanee Frankie Okoronkwo was left out as a precaution as he continues to manage his return from a hamstring injury.

He added: "(This game was) just too soon. We'll see how he is next week but Tuesday (EFL Trophy tie versus Stockport) might be too soon for him as well. He just needs to build up a bit of tolerance.

"What we don't want is to be missing him for a longer period of time so we need to make sure he's right when he gets back."

Meanwhile, McCann says he will spend the time between the Cardiff defeat and the aforementioned Trophy tie "trying to cheer himself up".

McCann spoke at length regarding his frustration at not making a tactical switch earlier on in the contest. By the time he did make it, just before the hour mark, the game was 3-0 and effectively dead and buried.

He added: "The good thing, I suppose, when you get a result like this, is there's another game so quick. That is a good thing.

"But for the next couple of days, I'll be just trying to cheer myself up, to be honest with you. I'm just really disappointed with that (decision) and I'm really disappointed in myself."