Why James Coppinger was absent from Doncaster Rovers’ win at Tranmere Rovers
James Coppinger was left out of Doncaster Rovers’ trip to Tranmere Rovers because it was ‘not the right type of game for him’ boss Darren Moore has revealed.
Coppinger was not part of the travelling party to Prenton Park on Tuesday night with Moore opting not to use the veteran.
But he expects the 39-year-old to be involved in the clash with Rochdale at the Keepmoat on Saturday.
“Copps has not travelled tonight,” Moore said after the 3-0 win.
“We felt it wouldn’t be the right type of game for him in terms of the surface.
“But he should be available for the weekend.”
Coppinger has started only one of the last four Rovers matches, with that game coming at the Keepmoat against Southend United. Madger Gomes has generally been selected instead for away matches.
Also absent from the matchday squad on Tuesday but part of the travelling party was new signing Jason Lokilo.
Moore is only able to name five loanees in any one matchday squad and including deadline day signing Lokilo would have taken him over his quota.
And he explained he wanted to give the Crystal Palace winger more time to bed into the squad before using him in a fixture.
“We had him in on Monday for the first time,” Moore said.
“We brought him with us on Tuesday to get him integrated into the team. He’ll have seen all the game prep, all the messages and that will stand him in good stead as well.”