'Quite close' - Doncaster Rovers hoping for transfer breakthrough in coming days

Rovers are a body light in the centre of defence after loanee Connor O'Riordan's return to parent club Blackburn Rovers. Skipper Owen Bailey, a midfielder by trade, filled in admirably there during last weekend's win at AFC Wimbledon but McCann - who has already signed five players this month - says a new arrival is now pending. And he confirmed to the Free Press that the unnamed player - who will be signed on loan - is almost certainly the final piece in the jigsaw.

"I think we're quite close to bringing a centre-back in," said McCann. "We're working very hard to make that happen before the weekend.

"If it doesn't happen then it'll be the early part of next week. We're just waiting to hear back but I think we're near enough there. It's just a timing issue with his club. We'll see over the next 24-48 hours but they'll add real experience and calmness to us, which I think is needed.

"It's important we keep that department strong. We were always going to bring in one in that area but it had to be the right one. It wans't just a case of another young body in because I don't see the point of that. It's important we bring someone in who's ready to play now.

"We've already brought five bodies into the building and this will probably be the last piece of the jigsaw if we can hopefully get it done.

"The clubs have agreed, the player's agreed, the agent's happy. There's a lot of things that go into it, even with a loan these days. We're on top of the game and we're just waiting now."