Seven released and winger transfer-listed - Doncaster Rovers announce retained list

The news broke on the same day that the club announced its retained list, with seven players departing on free transfers once their contracts expire. Scottish winger Middleton only joined Rovers last June after leaving Dundee United but after just 15 league starts, including one league goal, he has been made available this summer. He still has another year to run on his Rovers deal.

Meanwhile, the list of players being released doesn't have too many surprises on it.

Veteran Billy Sharp had already announced his departure and he'll be joined by six players who all played differing roles in the League Two title win last year: defender James Maxwell, midfielders Ben Close, Zain Westbrooke and Joe Sbarra and wingers Jordan Gibson and Kyle Hurst.

The club have also activated extension options on Harry Clifton, Bobby Faulkner, Will Flint and Jacob Bryant whilst another two - Jake Oram and Jack Senior - have been offered fresh terms.

Rovers' website also states that all loanees have returned to their parent clubs but it is unclear if that is regards once the season wraps up after the trip to Peterborough on Saturday. It is a topic manager Grant McCann will doubtless be grilled on at his pre-match press conference on Thursday.

The news means Rovers have, as it stands, a squad of 20 professionals heading into the summer with the potential for that to be boosted further if Senior and/or Oram commit.