The clutch of meetings that will crystalise Doncaster Rovers' approach for next season

Manager Grant McCann has a stacked diary right now, trying to balance the remaining fixtures as well as plans for the summer including recruitment. One of those - and arguably the most important - takes place on Friday when the manager sits down with chairman Terry Bramall and chief executive Gavin Baldwin to thrash out what Rovers' budget will look like in 2026-27.

Those talks will take place against the backdrop of an uncertain financial landscape in League One, with ample teams throwing more money at wages and transfers than ever before.

Speaking broadly on the subject of budgets across the third tier, McCann told the Free Press: "Terry's really ambitious, as is Gavin. And the two of them will have seen this league and will know the financial powers that are in this division and it's difficult.

"I went to watch Peterborough the other night and had a good chat with Barry Fry (director of football) and even he was saying he can't believe the money that's getting paid in this division on wages. It's scary and it's hard to compete with that.

"We don't have the biggest budget and we don't pay the biggest wages but what we can do is give players the platform to come and play and progress and be part of something. Over the years I've loved developing players and seeing them go on to bigger and better things. That's the type of group we are as coaches but yes it is difficult to try and get targets in because there'll be so many other teams after them.

"It's about being patient and diligent in your work. And when you do speak to the players, it's about showing them what you want to do."

He added: "Money doesn't automatically make you successful. I've never had one of the highest budget at any club I've been at, so we've been used to punching above our weight. We'll have a chat and try and refine what we need to give us the best opportunity to be better than this year."

After Friday's meeting and then Saturday's final home game of the season against Stevenage, McCann says attentions will then properly turn to the playing side of things and specifically player contracts.

McCann has already revealed Jack Senior has been offered a new contract and that the club will aim to tie down young goalkeeping duo Jake Oram and Jacob Bryant. But there is a clutch of other players whose contracts expire this summer, albeit many of them have extension options inserted.

On that topic, McCann says: "Monday will be a day of meetings where I'll sit down with the majority of the squad and let them know how their season has gone, almost like a bit of a debrief. It's about being open and fair with some of the lads we feel probably won't play a part moving forwards. It's busy, but exciting."