New Doncaster Rovers forward on club's 'false position' as he reunites with familiar face

After a fine start to the campaign, Rovers have gone off the rails in recent months and have won just one of their last 17 league matches. That has left them sitting 23rd in the standings and six points adrift of safety.

Okoronkwo, 21, arrived at Rovers early on in the January window on loan from Premier League side Everton. Earlier in the season he spent time at Lincoln City, ironically scoring in a win over Rovers. He believes the quality within Grant McCann's squad means the team are in something of a false position, and fully backs them to rise up the table in the second half of the season.

"I've played against them early on in the season and the league position doesn't reflect on the group in the changing room, not one bit," he said.

"I think the main point the manager has stressed is belief, such as the league position. As I say, that doesn't reflect on the players in the changing room. We've got very good players that can win games and it's just maybe results haven't went our way, but they will."

Okoronkwo was born in Northumberland and came through Sunderland's famed academy. He says the presence of fellow North-east natives such as Owen Bailey and Jamie Sterry has helped his integration. He also played alongside Hakeeb Adelakun at Salford last season.

He added: "Obviously there's a few Northern boys in the squad as well that I've connected well with and I'm just really excited for the rest of the season. We have mutuals and friends of a friend and stuff like that so it's just really relaxing knowing that they understand and that we come from similar backgrounds.

Obviously I was with Haks (at Salford) and I learned lots off him last year so I know all about him and what he likes, what he doesn't like and what he needs from me as a striker so yeah we get on well.

"That's made it all easier, to see another familiar face in the changing room and that just helps you settle a bit quicker than usual."