Injured Taylor Richards to miss out as Andy Butler ponders giving youngsters a chance for Doncaster Rovers

A groin injury has seen the Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder return to his parent club and means he will not play for Rovers against Peterborough United on Sunday.

“Taylor’s gone back to Brighton after picking up a slight groin injury,” Butler said.

“He wouldn’t have been available so we thought the best course of action would be to send him back to Brighton for the right treatment.”

Butler felt Rovers saw the best of what Richards could offer towards the end of his loan spell.

“I think he’s improved a lot since he’s been here,” Butler said.

“Towards the end the season we actually saw a workrate that was probably missing early on.

“If he can get the workrate and the ability together you’ve got some player on your hands.

“I think if you look back, I think the most games he played in a season was 14 and he’s played 40-odd for us.

“For him to adapt to League One football, I think he’s been excellent.”

Butler revealed he may use the opportunity of Sunday’s game to field some of the club’s younger players.

AJ Greaves in particular is pushing for a start having impressed off the bench against Blackpool in midweek.

“I think AJ Greaves came into the side off the bench the other night and was excellent,” he said.

“He has given me something to think about and AJ is an option.

“I may give some of the younger players an opportunity to give them some experience and say they’ve been involved in a first team squad.

“We still want to win the game and play well but there will be an opportunity to give younger players a chance.”

The game is likely to come too soon for Brad Halliday (back) and the quartet of players who have missed out due to Covid-19 issues.

“Brad did a session on Friday but I think it’ll be too soon,” Butler said. “I don’t think you can come straight back in after 35 days out injured and expect to be involved.

“I think he’s almost fit.

“Brad has been a great player for this club so far but I think this game will come too early.

“I think with the days off the four lads had in isolation it would be hard for them to come in.

“They’ve trained today and they look fit and well so they’re options to call on for the bench maybe.”

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