‘You’ve got to limit the risk’ – Darren Moore on the possibility of trialists training with Doncaster Rovers

Tight restrictions and strict procedures will govern Rovers’ return to training on Monday, with only small groups permitted to be together at Cantley Park at any one time.

As they look to minimise the risk of a Covid-19 outbreak among the squad, and in taking medical advice, Rovers will therefore not welcome trialists as usual.

“That’s where it’s probably impacted most,” Moore told the Free Press.

“Managers would be looking at trialists at this time of the year and trying them out.

“But I think we have to get to a certain phase before we can start looking at them - if we are allowed to at all.

“We don’t know the environment they’ve been in, who they’ve been mixing with, has someone in their household been affected by it? Have they been isolating themselves?

“You’ve got to limit the risk.

“It’s probably the biggest impact, not having the ability to look at trialists and play them freely in games.”

Moore admits there is still plenty of uncertainty over whether he will be in a position to invite in trialists at all as he builds towards the September 12 start date for the new season.

For now at least, it means only those contracted to the club will be permitted to train.

“There’s not clarity on it yet,” Moore said.

“I think you’d have to get to a certain point and the individuals coming in would have to be at a certain point where we know they’re negative.

“You’ve got to take into consideration everyone else.”

Rovers are able to organise pre-season friendlies as they prepare for the start of the campaign.

Contact has been made with professional clubs who will undergo the same Covid-19 testing procedures as Rovers, ensuring the risk of the spread of the virus is minimised.

“We can have friendly matches between certain dates,” Moore said.

“I’ve been on the phone trying to get one or two confirmed. I think they’re in the pipeline. We’re just waiting for them to be rubberstamped but they’re agreed in principle."

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