How Madger Gomes went from bit part player to a key man for Doncaster Rovers

His signing was a surprise one. Lined up by Grant McCann but completed after his departure for Hull City, Gomes had little senior experience but clearly had shown plenty of promise.

Inconsistent performances during his first few months at Rovers suggested he would be become a bit part player.

But since the start of the busy Christmas period, the 23-year-old has started nine of 16 league matches - at a time where competition for places has only increased.

So what has changed for the former Liverpool and Leeds United trainee?

“It’s his understanding of the game and his intelligence,” boss Darren Moore said.

“He’s always had a wonderful athleticism but in terms of his job in and out of possession, he probably has more clear an understanding.

“Why and how has that come about? With work on the training ground.

“I think we’ve worked a lot with players on understanding roles on the pitch. Madger has certainly done that.

“He’s got an understanding and it’s great for him that he’s got a versatility where he can play higher or he can play deeper. He can play as a 7, a deep holding midfield role, an 8 or he can play left back as well.

“He has wonderful versatility and hopefully we’ve seen slight improvements to his game since he’s been here.

“We work on the guise both individually and collectively, of getting better."

Moore believes there are plenty of parallels between Gomes and the young loan players that arrived at the club in the summer.

He said: “Madger is another starter to the season and there’s different things approaching him - volume of games, recovery, playing in different types of matches, gaining experience, understanding what is expected of him.

“There’s all these things and Madger is a prime example of someone who had had to start the season and build reputations.

“They’re young, they’ve been given a platform but they’ve got to come of age really quickly and they are doing that.”