Who were the trialists for Doncaster Rovers U23s in their win over Aston Villa?

The trio played across the attacking midfield three, with two of them grabbing goals in the rout.

Here we take a look at the trialists plus what Rovers U23s boss Gary McSheffrey said about them.

DION PEREIRA

Performance

The 20-year-old caught the eye, playing in the role typically occupied by James Coppinger at senior level.

He took his goal very well with a smart composed finish after weaving into the box and put the ball on a plate with a brilliant first time touch for Max Waters to score his second.

He showed superb quality with the ball at his feet and excellent vision to bring others into play.

Background

Pereira is British born of Portuguese descent and spent ten years with Watford, for whom he made two substitute appearances for his hometown club in the Premier League.

He was named the Hornets’ young player of the year in the 2016/17 season. The following year he scored 13 goals in 28 appearances for the club’s youth side.

A year ago he moved across the Atlantic to join MLS side Atlanta United. It was a determination to find senior opportunities he was struggling for at Watford why he made the move. He made 21 appearances for the club last year but did not find the net.

What Gary McSheffrey said:

“Dion played in the number ten role and showed his vision, his combination play, his clever link-up play. He put the ball around the corner and his one-touch play was very good. He was quite bright for us, he was clever in there and he made things happen.

“I think he needs to get fitter but that was his first game since September or October.

“In the final third I thought some of his footwork was excellent and the way he brought others into play. His assist for Max’s second goal was lovely and he scored one himself early on.

“Once he gets match fit I think he could be a real fans’ favourite with that end product and that creativity.”

JACK STORER

Performance

He played on the left of the attacking midfield three before switching to the right side late in the game.

The 22-year-old showed some good quality on the ball, with some smart touches and linked up play well. He responded well to take his goal after seeing an initial effort blocked. One eye catching moment saw him flick the ball up for himself before volleying narrowly over the bar. Storer also had an effort blocked on the line in the first half.

Background

Storer is currently playing for Mickleover Sports in the BetVictor Northern Premier League.

He spent time in the academies of Birmingham City and Wolverhampton Wanderers before signing scholarship terms at Stevenage. He made his senior debut for Stevenage in 2015 before returning to Birmingham for a five figure fee.

He made four appearances for Birmingham but his temperament was an issue and with opportunities limited, he had loan spells with Yeovil Town, Gloucester City and Solihull Moors.

After being released by Birmingham in the summer of 2018, he joined Partick Thistle in the Scottish Championship but had his contract terminated by mutual consent in December of that year. He then joined up with Redditch United before moving to Mickleover.

What Gary McSheffrey said:

“Jack came through at Birmingham a few years ago. He’s been out of the pro game for a bit. He’s played two or three games for us now and scored two in two.

“You can see he’s got the quality, you can see he’s got the brain and sees the bigger picture. I just think he needs to get fit and be on a programme where he’s training every day again.

“He needs to be playing at a level for me of a minimum National League North, a Telford type club or Kidderminster type club, to bridge the gap. The level he’s playing at now, it’s difficult to do that and then step up to the pro game again and hit the ground running.

“There is potential there and you can see the qualities but I just think he’s missed too much football. Potentially we need to find him a way to bridge that gap so if anything does happen in the future he is ready to hit the ground running.”

PLUS ONEThe third trialist, who operated on the right of the attacking midfield three, went unnamed but is currently on the books of a League One side and is approaching his mid-20s. He was a lively presence in wide areas but did not make the same impact as his fellow trialists.