Josh Sims makes Doncaster Rovers return plus updates on Brad Halliday and Joe Wright

The winger has been back with parent club Southampton in recent weeks in an attempt to diagnose an issue which has impacted upon the power he is able to generate in his left leg.

He returned to Rovers on Wednesday having made good progress in his recovery.

“Josh looks bright and ready to go,” boss Andy Butler said. “I had a chat with him, he feels a lot better and you can see in his whole mindset that he’s got over whatever he had.

“He’s champing at the bit so there’s a decision for me to make on Saturday.

“Sometimes when you ask players if they’re okay you can see yourself from their facial expression, but Josh is smiling.

“I want to see players smiling and enjoying their football. I don’t want to see players afraid to get on the ball or make a pass that might not come off.

“When I asked Josh if he was all right, his reaction was very positive.

“It was a slight nerve issue. Southampton have done a lot of testing on him, on his power output in his legs and it seems to be coming back.

“They’re not 100 per cent sure what it was but Southampton are happy and so are we that whatever it was, it’s getting better and he’s back out there on the training ground looking positive.

“He’s been doing sessions down there to keep himself sharp. It’s not been as intense as what I’d like to do so I’ve got a decision to make on his involvement at the weekend.”

Joe Wright and Brad Halliday have also been given the all-clear after both missed Monday’s defeat at Bristol Rovers.

Halliday felt a back spasm the night before the game while Wright suffered whiplash in an awkward collision during the loss to Charlton Athletic last Friday.

“Joe has responded well to treatment and the same with Brad Halliday,” Butler said.

“Brad went to see a chiropractor and hopefully both of them are recovered for the weekend.”

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