Positive news for Doncaster Rovers on Sims and Bogle plus updates on Bostock, Robertson, James and Greaves

The Southampton loanee has missed the last two games due to a nerve issue in his back which is affecting his power, and went to see a specialist on Monday.

But he has also reported that he feels much better and boss Andy Butler is hopeful his injury ravaged squad will be bolstered by Sims’ return.

“He’ll be assessed again before the weekend but the signs are good and hopefully he is feeling better with it,” he said.

“We spoke to him and he’s feeling a lot better so hopefully that will be positive news.and he’ll be back in the squad at the weekend.”

Butler is also hopeful that Omar Bogle (hamstring) and Scott Robertson (toe) will return for the Gillingham trip.

He said: “Scott went to see the chiropodist and his toe was twice its normal size.

“He’s had that lanced and a lot of blood came out of it.

“It was just too early for Scott to face Oxford.

“I’m more hopeful about Omar for the weekend.

“I think it’s maybe a bit too early for John Bostock.”

Butler lost AJ Greaves to an ankle injury during Tuesday’s defeat at Oxford United, a game in which Reece James did not feature.

“Against Crewe Reece took a whack on his ankle and his leg,” he said.

“He got through the game on Saturday but in the last couple of minutes I think their right back scythed him down in the bottom corner and it swelled up again.

“He tried to go through training on Monday but he just wasn’t right and we couldn’t have players who aren’t 100 per cent fit.

“He was struggling with it and we just had to rest him. It’s managing the players through these games and making sure everyone is available.

“The last thing we want is for players to break down because at the moment we’ve got a thin squad.

“He’ll be reassessed but he’s got a chance.

“He said he felt good and it was just the second knock which reenflamed what was already there.

“He said he was about 70 per cent and we can’t risk it.

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