'More of the onus will be on trying to get them in ASAP' - Darren Moore on timescale for new signings at Doncaster Rovers

Tentative plans based around suggested start dates for the 2020/21 season would see the Rovers squad report back for training early next month.

And Moore wants as many new signings as possible to be present on the first day of training, to help them work on fitness and his style of play from the start.

“It will be challenging to get the team in as quickly as possible,” he told the Free Press.

“The lads will have been away for around 22 weeks by the time they come back. That’s almost three off-seasons rolled into one.

“There is a real concern over their physical wellbeing, their football specific movement, physically and mentally.

“I want them in as soon as possible.

“You’ve also got to get them up to speed and also the dynamics of how we play and what we do is instrumental.

“I think this year, where you might normally wait for one or two, this year I think more of the onus will be on trying to get them in as soon as possible so we can get to work.

“The quicker they’re in the more time you have to work.

“There will be a lot of hard work going in over these next few weeks to identify players and work alongside clubs, players, representatives to try to get certain people in if we are able to do so.”

It has been suggested that next season could begin in late September, giving Rovers around eight weeks of pre-season training based on Moore’s plans.

But he says he could call the squad back earlier if required, should the start date for the season be brought forward.

“As a careful process, we as a club first and foremost have safety as the number one factor,” he said.

“It looks like it’s going to be early August. But we’re adaptable so if the EFL was to announce a return sooner, we’d be able to make adjustments to the team and squad.”

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