Jason Lokilo excited to finally show extent of his potential for Doncaster Rovers

Jason Lokilo had a wry smile on his face as he approached the gathered media following Doncaster Rovers’ dramatic draw with Peterborough United on Tuesday - a game in which he starred.

The suggestion that he would be given nine out of ten for his efforts brought disagreement from the Belgian winger who felt he did not deserve such a high score on an evening in which a mistake from him led to Peterborough’s second goal.

And while not particularly pleased with some of the low scores he had received in previous weeks, Lokilo was refreshingly honest about the standard of his own performances.

“I’ve been disappointed with my season,” he said.

“It’s been a frustrating season because I believe I should have been performing more like this every week.

“I’m just happy that finally I can show what I can do.”

Lokilo has made 38 appearances for Rovers since joining last January, initially on loan from Crystal Palace. But only 14 of those outings have come as starts.

He is open in admitting that he has not been able to deliver on the promise he showed during a loan spell that was ultimately cut short due to the curtailment of last season.

“I started this season with an injury which slowed my progression and then I tried to get back into the team.

“I’ve had a few chances to show what I could do but I’ve not been able to do it for whatever reason, I don’t know.

“I feel I have let the manager down a bit because he gave me a chance to play a couple of games in a row.

“I wasn’t able to show what I could produce for the team.

“I’m just pleased to have been able to show what I’m capable of doing.

“Hopefully for the next three games I can just keep improving.

“I think it’s been a tough month so the team getting a draw in this game is going to give us confidence for the last three.

“We could have got all three points.

“But we’re really disappointed because we should have been in Peterborough’s position I think.

“We wanted to get promotion straight away. It’s not going to happen now but we have to try to work and end the season well.

“Me personally, I gave them a goal but after I was thinking ‘not today, I need to do something and help the team get back into the game.’

“I got an assist, Fej [Okenabirhie] scored an unbelievable goal.

Lokilo will reach the end of his Rovers contract in the summer. The Free Press understands he has not yet been offered fresh terms by the club.

On his future, the 22-year-old said: “I don’t know what will happen.

“I don’t think it is really my job to speak about what is going to happen with me.

“I’m just focused on what is going to happen on the pitch and trying to do my best.

“With the contract I will let my agent and my family decide for me.”

On whether he would like to remain with Rovers, Lokilo said simply: “Why not?”

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In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Liam Hoden, editor.