Why Madger Gomes and Taylor Richards are not ready to return for Doncaster Rovers

But the relentlessness of the calendar is working against boss Darren Moore in his bid to see players return.

Moore has confirmed that both Madger Gomes and Taylor Richards will not be available for Tuesday’s trip to AFC Wimbledon, despite both recovering well from respective muscle strains.

And it is because of the lack of time on the training ground for Rovers over the last couple of weeks why the pair are being held back.

“It’s not the fact that he’s struggling,” Moore said when asked about Gomes. “He’s made some excellent progress, as has Taylor Richards.

“It’s with the volume of the games, they need that volume in them and they’re not getting it with the limited time on the grass.

“Sometimes they need the volume of training in among a group. If they can’t get that specific work, sometimes that is where the difficulties lie.

“At this point we can’t take that risk with them.

“Maybe they are near enough back fit but we need to get the volume in them to make sure they are stable.

“Because the games are coming thick and fast there’s no chance to get that volume into them. You’re playing Saturday-Tuesday every week.

“It seems like they have been out for a long time because there’s so many games but they haven’t been really.

“It’s just because there’s so many games sandwiched in a short space of time.

“As a manager you’ve got to keep a level head because there is that temptation to rush them back too soon. But I’m led and governed by the medical team who have been absolutely fantastic and until I get the thumbs up from them and the sports science team, I won’t risk them.”

Gomes last played in the defeat to Crewe Alexandra ten days ago while Richards featured against Ipswich Town a fortnight ago.

Moore confirmed he has yet to receive a definitive date when both Tyreece John-Jules and Rayhaan Tulloch will return to training with Rovers from their recoveries with parent clubs Arsenal and West Bromwich Albion respectively.

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