An incredible boost in an already positive situation - Josh Sims' return to Doncaster Rovers is as good a piece of news as you could ask for: Liam Hoden column

Josh Sims is back.

His star had shone so brightly yet so briefly in his initial loan spell, ended by a cruel injury that was a hammerblow to both him and Rovers.

But a return that could never have been forecast when he limped off the pitch at the Keepmoat in December has delivered an incredible boost to an already positive situation at the club.

The 24-year-old looked to be playing at least one level below his standard when he was terrifying opposition defenders during his 14 game spell with Rovers before Christmas.

Having that weapon in the arsenal for the second half of the campaign will be a tremendous asset as Darren Moore’s side look to maintain their incredibly positive position.

The fact Sims is back in South Yorkshire is down to more than just good fortune.

Just prior to his injury, there was the feeling within the club hierarchy that securing an extension to his initial six month loan would be beyond Rovers. A senior figure described the chances as being ‘less than zero.’

His injury played a role, with some potential suitors in the Championship backing off.

But there were still plenty of options on the table for the winger, and he wielded a good deal of the power in determining where he would be playing in the final months of this season.

It is clear that Rovers had made a big impression on Sims - his team mates, the coaches, the style of play all suited him.

So when options in the tier above were put before him, he remained drawn to Rovers and the chance to continue with the excellent form he had shown, as well as powering the club towards the Championship.

It says plenty about the environment that has been fostered under Moore in the last 18 months that players at key stages of their career are confident they are plying their trade in the right place for their development and prospects.

John Bostock’s arrival at the club has the potential to be a quite stunning piece of transfer business. Another player who had plenty of employment options, he chose Rovers for one of the most important moves of his career.

Sims’ return also says plenty about what the Rovers hierarchy has been willing to provide in trying times for the club, in order to give Moore and his side the best chance of kicking on further in the second half of the season.

Getting the deal done was not as simple as Sims wanting to return. The outlay required from Rovers for this second loan spell is considerably more than the first time around.

It has been a similar situation with Matt Smith, with the machinations of the second half his season-long loan changing for the more costly - details of which will be made public in the coming days.

In a matter of a few days Rovers have switched from a club with little to no depth to one where there will soon be selection headaches of a different kind.

And that is very good news indeed.

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