Rovers ended their pre-season campaign yesterday afternoon with a 2-0 victory, both Rovers goals being scored by new signng Paul Heffernan.
Indications before the match were that the side to play at Worksop would be close to the side to play next week at Bristol City - but Rovers still included trialists in their squad for the game. Surprisingly, even though Penney specifically said that Ricky Ravenhill would play at Hucknall as he was suspended for the Bristol game, Ravenhill was a second half substitute at Worksop.
Rovers hit the woodwork twice in the first half before Heffernan rounded the keeper just before the break to put the ball into the net, with his second coming nine minutes from the end of the second half.
Rovers: Warrington, Ryan, McGuire, Roberts, Heffernan, Fenton, McIndoe, Foster, Coppinger, Hughes, Predic
Substitutes: Richardson, Ravenhill, Nelthorpe, L Green, Bythway

Rovers' second side of the afternoon travelled to Hucknall under the guidance of Mickey Walker and Mickey Lewis, and saw Rovers and Hucknall share eight goals, with new Hucknall Town striker Robert Gill having a dream return against his old club, scoring all four of the Hucknall goals. Now why did Rovers let him go?
Rovers went into a three goal lead, with Dave Mulligan scoring two, both from free kicks, and Richard Offiong, before four Robert Gill goals putting Rovers 4-3 behind. Lewis Guy scored Rovers' fourth goal within a minute of Gill's final strike.

Guy Ipoua, who was released by Doncaster Rovers at the end of last season, has signed a one year contract at Nationwide Conference club Hereford United. The former Livingston, Gillingham, Bristol Rovers and Scunthorpe striker was reported last week to have failed to impress in pre-season games, so the signing comes as a surprise.

Dave Penney bolstered his squad less than 24 hours before Rovers' final pre-season games of the summer, when news emerged yesterday afternoon that left back Sean McDaid and young striker Richard Offiong signed for the club on one year contracts. Both players have been at the club on trials, with McDaid impressing in Rovers' game against Peterborough United earlier this month.
McDaid is a former Leeds United youth team player, and Offiong began his career at Newcastle United, with loand at Motherwell, York and Darlington. Offiong is an England under-19 and under-20 international.
As a result of these signings, Rovers are now reported to be not pursuing their interest in Hungarian midfielder Norbert Nemeth.

Doncater Rovers play two matches this afternoon, with the side being fielded at Worksop Town being expected to closely resemble the first eleven for next week's opening League One fixture at Bristol City. The match kicks off at 3pm, with admission prices being: Adults: £8.00, Concessions: £4.00
For those travelling to the match, take the M18 towards the M1, taking the M1 southbound option. Exit the M1 at junction 31 - only about half a mile after you have joined the M1 - and turn left onto the A57, which takes you into Worksop. Keep on the A57 until you reach a junction with the A60, turning left at that roundabout into Sandy Lane (A60) - follow the signs for Sandy Lane Industrial Estate. The football ground is situated on the left about half a mile down this road.

The second match being played by Rovers this afternoon takes place at Hucknall Town, where the players not likely to be starting next Saturday's match at Bristol City are expected to play. This match is also being played as a benefit match for former Rovers defender Dean Barrick, who is now player/manager at Hucknall Town. Unfortunately, Dean will not be at this afternoon's game, as the match was arranged after he had arranged a family holiday.
For those going to the match, admission prices are: Adults: £5.00, OAP/Students: £3.00, Children: £1.00
For those fans travelling by car to the game, take the M18 towards the M1, then take the southbound carriageway of the M1, continuing as far as junction 27, the A608 to Hucknall. Turn left at the top of the slip road onto the A608 - after passing the "Kodak" industrial estate, bear right to turn right at the traffic light controlled roundabout to join the A611. Continue on the A611 until you reach a roundabout which has a junction with the B6009 (Watnall Road) - the ground is on Watnall Road, about 100 yards on your right.
The journey is approximately 45 miles.

Rovers manager Dave Penney has seen the beginnings of a good midfield partnership between club record signing Sean Thornton and Paul Green in the pre-season matches, despite the varying fortunes of the pre-season results. Penney said: "What was good to see was the way that Sean Thornton is beginning to get an understanding with Green, which showed until Paul went off at half-time with a sore ankle."

Guy Ipoua, who left Rovers in the summer after spending much of last season out on loan at Mansfield Town and Lincoln City, appears to have failed to make a favourable impression when appearing for Hereford United against Bristol Rovers last weekend. Ipoua was reported to have looked unfit and is unlikely to be signed on by the Conference club.

The transfer tribunal was held yesterday to determine the transfer fee that Swansea City must pay to Torquay United for former Doncaster Rovers striker Adebayo Akinfenwa. Torquay had been demanding up to £150,000 for the player and were reported to be a long way from an agreement with Swansea in their valuation.
The tribunal ruled that Swansea must pay an initial £35,000 in two instalments, £25,000 after 20 appearances, a further £25,000 after 40 appearances, £25,000 if Swansea City are promoted (and Akinfenwa plays in at least 60% of the matches) - and finally, 15% of any sell-on fee. That totals £110,000 plus any sell-on fee.

Doncaster Rovers beat a Grimsby Town side yesterday evening despite going behind to a deflected shot after only five minutes. After that, Rovers' form gradually improved, with goals coming from Tim Ryan, Heffernan, Fenton and trialist Ben Saunders, with Rovers dominating the match after the break.
Grimsby influenced the game with their physical approach early in the game, and Rovers should have had a pentalty when Heffernan was brought down after a surge into the penalty area.
The half time break began with an amazing scene between Samuel Ipoua, brother of ex-Rovers striker Guy, and his Grimsby team mates, with punches appearing to be thrown - Ipoua's time at Grimsby may well be rather short!
Rovers dominated the second half, with good skills being shown by wingers McIndoe and Coppinger, and despite the flow of the game being disrupted in the latter stages after a series of substitutions, Rovers continued to dictate the play to run out worthy winners with four goals to their credit.
Trialist Ben Saunders may well have done enough in this game to earn himself a Rovers contract, with Dave Penney's cagey post-match interview suggesting that the player had impressed sufficiently in this, and the Fulham game.

Stuart Jones, the goalkeeper released by Rovers in the summer, has joined Nationwide Conference side Accrington Stanley on a non-contract basis after impressing boss John Coleman in pre-season matches.

Rovers goalkeeper Andy Warrington is edging his way back to full fitness after his hernia injury, and played an hour of Tuesday's practice match at Fulham, as well as featuring in last night's home game against Grimsby Town. Warrington said before the Grimsby game:"I felt fine and there was no problem with my stomach, so I am hoping to get some more action against Grimsby, maybe 45 minutes. I now need to get some more games under my belt to get match fit."
Midfiellder Sean Thornton missed the Grimsby game with a slight groin strain, but his absence was merely precautionary, and he wil be fit for the new season.

Despite ex-Rovers striker Adebayo Akinfenwa having joined Swansea City after acrimoniously leaving Torquay United when refusing to sign a new contract, Torquay chairman Mike Bateson is to hold out for a £150,000 transfer fee when the matter goes to arbitration. Torquay have held talks with Swansea to resolve the transfer, but Bateson said:"I had another chat with the Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins on Friday, to see if we could resolve something. But we're as far apart as ever, if not further. I'll hold out for £150,000."

It has just been announced that the "Away Rover" scheme will run again for the 2005/06 season after representations by Rovers fans have been made to Doncaster Rovers. You will be able to join the "Away Rover" at this evening's game - but please note you will have to take a passport sized photo with you. Alternatively you will be able to apply during normal office hours. All other details, including the price of £25, will be the same as for last season.

Doncaster Rovers play their final home pre-season fixture of the summer this evening when they entertain Grimsby Town at Belle Vue (kick-off 7.30pm). Admission prices will, as for previous pre-season home games, be £10 for adults, and £1 for all concessions.
Grimsby played a benefit game against Leeds United yesterday evening, so it is currently uncertain as to the strength of their side for this evening.
Rovers complete their preparation for the new season on Saturday with two fixtures. What is expected to be close to the side Rovers will field at Bristol City in the first match of the season is understood to be pencilled in at Worksop. The remainder of the squad, including Ricky Ravenhill, who is suspended for the Bristol game, will appear at Hucknall.

Sky Sports' web site has reported that Rovers have given a trial to young Danish striker Kaspter de Vries. De Vries has been playing for KB Copenhagen, which is FC Copenhagen's reserve side, but is seeking a move after being told he would not be promoted to the senior squad, despite impressing for the reserves last season.

The first League One match of the season, at Bristol City on Saturday 6th August, is not an all-ticket match, but we understand that tickets will be on sale in advance of the game.
Tickets will cost £20 for adults, with students/U16's/65+ tickets being £10.
The Supporters Club are running coaches to the game, with departure times being as follows:
Retford 8.00am, Bawtry 8.20, Hare & Tortoise 8.25, Punches 8.30, Infirmary 8.30 and Belle Vue 8.45am
Another coach will depart from Carcroft Club 8.15am, Woodlands (opp. Cooplands) 8.40, Bentley Pavillion 8.25 and Don Valley (Jossey Lane) 8.40am
Fares for all coaches are::
Members: £15.00, OAP's: £12.00, U16's: £12.00
Non-members: £17.00, U16's: £15.00
For the coaches, contact: Len South on 01302 817347, Paul Mayfield on 01427 880154.
For the Bristol game only, anyone wishing to book with North Doncaster Branch, please contact Ken Magson 01302 788598.

Former Doncaster Rovers striker Micky Norbury has signed for UniBond First Division club Belper Town during the summer, and made his debut last Saturday when Belper played Matlock Town in a pre-season game. Norbury controversially left Belper in October 2002 to join Ossett Albion, but now makes the return journey. His previous clubs include Cambridge United, Preston , Doncaster, Telford United, Hednesford Town, Emley and Stocksbridge Park Steels.

Dave Penney will continuet to check out a number of trialists today as he sends a side, which will also include some youth team players, to play a practice match at Fulham today. Little else in the way of transfer activity is anticipated in the next few days, with Penney saying: "Other than the trialists it is very quiet at the moment on the transfer front, but we will continue to look for players to enhance our existing squad."
As a consequence of some youth team players being involved at Fulham, Rovers have called off the previously arranged match at Armthorpe Welfare this evening.

Paul Wilson, the new Rovers youth team manager, will make an early reaquaintance with his former club following the draw for the first round of the Football League Youth Alliance Cup. Rovers have been drawn at home to Scunthorpe United, with the tie due to be played on Saturday, 24th September.

Former Doncaster Rovers goalkeeper Paul Crichton is close to signing a contract at Conference new boys Cambridge United after playing in three pre-season games. Cambridge boss Rob Newman said: "Paul's played three games for us and has been outstanding, but there's a lot of talking to be done with him."
Cambridge are also hoping to sign another goalkeeper, West Ham youngster Darren Behcet on a one-year loan next week.

The new black away kit has now been received at the club shop, and goes on sale this morning at 10am.

The Viking Supporters' Co-operative have reported that they raised a further £188.78 at the Notts County game towards their Coin Trail appeal which is raising money for the Rovers' youth team. Along with a further £80 taken in the Viking Supporters Bar at the Peterborough game, the new total for the appeal is a superby £32,889.45.

The charity cricket match which saw a number of Doncaster Rovers players taking part at Warmsworth yesterday ended early due to rain. The Rovers side batted first, and reached a creditable 173 all out, with Mickey Walker top scorer on 50. Play was abandoned for the day early into the Warmsworth innings, when they stood on 21 for 2.

Former Doncaster Rovers left back Chris Beech has signed for Nationwide North club Hucknall Town, and is set to face his former colleagues next Saturday when Rovers visit Watnall Road for a Dean Barrick benefit match (kick-off 3pm).
Beech played for Carlisle United last season as they successfully won promotion back to the Football League at the first attempt, and names Manchester City, Cardiff, Rotherham and Doncaster as his former clubs.

The youth team continue their preparation for the new season tomorrow evening when they travel to Armthorpe Welfare, with the game scheduled to kick off at 7pm.

A selection of players and management from Doncaster Rovers will take part in a charity cricket match against Earth Mortgages and Warmsworth Cricket Club this afternoon to raise money for McMillan Nurses, Doncaster Town Field Play Area and junior development at Warmsworth Cricket Club. The gates open at midday, and match gets underway at approximately 2pm, with Dave Penney and John Ryan amongst those taking part.
Admission is £5 for adults and £2.50 for children, which includes parking, entry to the match and a free drink.

After being rejected by League One new boys Scunthorpe United, better news for former Rovers winger John McGrath comes this week with York City offering the former Republic of Ireland Under-21 international a one year contract. However, McGrath is understood to still want to keep his options open, with Peterborough United understood to be monitoring the situation.

In details of fees paid to football agents in the twelve months to 30th June 2005, the Football League have revealed that Doncaster Rovers paid £32,000 to agents. These fees were reported to be paid in respect of eight new signings, six updated contracts, five cancelled contracts and eleven loan deals.

Rovers have decided to organise a sponsored walk to the away match at Barnsley on Saturday 24th September. They will be organising food and refreshments along the eighteen mile route.
We understand that due to this, the supporters will be abandoning their sponsored walk to Bournemouth in October.

Rovers conceded two second half goals, both direct from free kicks, to go down to a second 2-1 defeat at Belle Vue in the last week. Rovers, like last Saturday, looked very promising in the first half, and deservedly took the lead when Lewis Guy slotted the ball home from close range after some good work on the right by James Coppinger.
There was more seen of the visitors as an attacking force after the break, and aided by some dubious decisions by the referee, won a free kick 20 yards from goal in a central position. The free kick took a huge deflection off the Rovers' wall, and sent Nielsen the wrong way as it went into the bottom right corner of the net. The second goal came from another questionable free kick decision, but was neatly curved round the right side of the Rovers wall and into the net, with Nielsen trying to get across from the other side of the goal. Whilst McIndoe and Ryan went close in the closing moments, Rovers had few real goal scoring chances in the second half, during which the customary substitutions were in evidence, even if in lower numbers than of late.

With Hucknall Town having lost a number of players over the summer, manager Dean Barrick received a set back last week when former Rovers winger Matt Caudwell decided to stay with Gainsborough Trinity for the forthcoming season.

Rovers have confirmed that the final pre-season fixture against Grimsby Town on Wednesday will have the same admisison prices as for the last two home games, and are as follows:
Adults £10.00
Concessions: £1.00
Prices for the two away matches next Saturday (30th July) have also been confirmed, and are as follows:
Worksop Town (kick-off 3pm):
Adults £8.00, Concessions £4.00
Hucknall Town (kick-off 3pm):
Adults £5.00, OAP/Students £3.00,Children £1.00
The match at Hucknall has been made a benefit match for Dean Barrick.

Doncaster Rovers look set to recall a number of players tonight who missed out on last Saturday's home friendly match against Peterborough United. Tim Ryan, Steve Foster and Simon Marples all should play this evening. Phil McGuire, Paul Green, Leo Fortune-West and Andy Warrington continue to receive treatment from physio Baz Windle, and will miss the game.

Gary Brabin, the former Doncaster Rovers skipper and midfielder has signed for Nationwide Conference club Halifax Town on a twelve month contract. Brabin is relaunching his playing career which ended when diagnosed with a heart complaint after collapsing during a match for Total Network Solutions in the Welsh Premier League. Thankfully, Gary has made a full recovery and has been given the go-ahead to resume playing.

Scunthorpe United boss Brian Laws, who played the former Rovers midfielder John McGrath in his side on a trial during United's match against Cobh Ramblers on Wednesday night, has announced that he will not be pursuing the matter any further. He said: "We had a look at John McGrath and he did OK, but he wasn't better than what we already have at the club so we will not pursue the matter any further."
McGrath is now set to return to England to hold talks with Peterborough United about a possible transfer to London Road. He had already received an offer fron Nationwide Conference club York City.

In various news reports in recent days, Rovers have been linked with Wolves winger Sammy Clingan and Nottingham Forest centre-back Jon-Olan Hjelde. The Forest defender is reported by Sporting Life's website to have already turned down an offer to join Rovers, and he looks set to join League Two clugb Mansfield Town.
Rovers, along with Chesterfield, have been trying to sign Wolves winger Sammy Clingan, but both have currently been unsuccessful. Reports from earlier this week suggested that both clubs had offered in the region of £50,000 for the mdifielder, who spent a successful time on loan at Chesterfield last season, but is yet to appear in Wolves' first team. Rovers withdrew from the race, with Dave Penney saying that they were not willing to match Wolves' valuation for the player. Chesterfield have now made three offeres for the player, but have also been unable to agree a deal with the Championship club.

Forty-eight hours after impressing Scunthorpe United boss Brian Laws when guesting for Limerick against Scunthorpe on Monday evening, former Rovers midfielder John McGrath was asked to turn out for a trial with Laws' side in the second of their Irish tour when they faced Cobh Ramblers.
McGrath, who has been on trials at Darlington and is also interesting York City, said: "I was due to fly back to England on Tuesday for talks with Peterborough. However I cancelled the flight after Brian Laws asked me to play against Cobh Ramblers tonight. I played against Scunthorpe United a few times and they are a top-class club with excellent facilities and are obviously a side that are going places,” he added.
Laws said: "We're going to have a look at John McGrath, who is a player that we know quite a lot about. He played against us for Limerick the other night and did quite well so we want to put him in our side and have a look at him against Cobh."

A selection of players and management from Doncaster Rovers will take part in a charity cricket match against Earth Mortgages and Warmsworth Cricket Club on Sunday to raise money for McMillan Nurses, Doncaster Town Field Play Area and junior development at Warmsworth Cricket Club. The match gets underway at approximately 1.30pm, with Dave Penney and John Ryan amongst those taking part.
Tickets are currently available from Rovers' reception at Belle Vue, and cost £5 for adults and £2.50 for children, which includes parking, entry to the match and a free drink.

Doncaster Rovers' youth team drew a pre-season friendly fixture against Nottingham Forest yesterday, with the Rovers goal being scored by Griffiths.

Former Doncaster Rovers striker Adebayo Akinfenwa scored his first goal for new club Swansea City yesterday since his controversial transfer from Torquay United as his side progressed to a 3-1 victory at Bridgwater Town.

This evening's youth team game away at Askern Welfare has been postponed. The next youth pre-season game is on Tuesday, 26th July, when they are away at Armthorpe Welfare. The match kicks off at 7pm.

Former Doncaster Rovers defender Scott Maxfield has been appointed as the new club captain at UniBond Premier League club Barrow. Maxfield, who celebrated his 29th birthday last Wednesday, said: “I’m obviously very proud. I’ve been at the club five seasons, going into my sixth, and it’s an honour. It’s a big club in non-league circles and I’m pleased that the management think I can do the job. I’m quite vocal in the dressing room and I’d like to think I can lead by example."

The first match of the 2005/06 season, which is away at Bristol City on 6th August, is not an all-ticket match. There will be 2,000 tickets available, with admission in the Wedlock Stand being as follows:
Adults: £20.00
Students/65+/U-16: £10.00

Richie Barker, who played five games for Rovers whilst on loan from Sheffield Wednesday in the 1995/96 season, has been named as the club captain at Mansfield Town for the forthcoming season. The appointment was initially thought to be a short term measure owign to Alex John Baptiste's three match suspension, but the Stags' management team confirmed the Barker's appointment for the whole season on Radio Mansfield after their game against Derby County recently.

Rovers boss Dave Penney has given up on trying to sign Finnish midfielder Markis Heikenen after not hearing anything from the player or his agent since last week. Heikenen promised an answer by the end of last week after shaking hands with Mickey Walker last Tuesday on a deal, but as Penney said: "Markus had to go down to London to tidy a few things up and that rang a few alarm bells."

Former Doncaster Rovers and Glasgow Rangers defender Stuart Beattie, who played for the club between 1986 and 1989 before giving up the game due to injury, is in the news for all the wrong reasons. Beattie has been suspended from his job as a residential senior practitioner at Kerelaw School, the controversial Glasgow secure young offenders home after two allegations of assault from fifteen years ago. He is one of 26 staff, including teachers, who have been suspended in the wake of a police enquiry into claims of abuse. Nine have since been sacked, one resigned, one is on long-term sick leave, and six have been allowed back to work.
Beattie, a father of two, believes is is the victim of a witchhunt, saying: "'As far as I'm aware, two complaints of assault have been made against me. 'It is a joke. I believe it is a case of former pupils thinking, 'Let's get some compensation and make it up". Beattie has been suspended on full pay for six weeks.
He said: "They date back to 1990, just after I started working at Kerelaw. II have good friends who have been off for a year and it is the same story with them. All we are being told is that allegations have been made and it is a long- term thing. In my case this is something which I can assure you didn't happen. I'm a law-abiding citizen but you have no rights when you work for social work. In Scots law, you are innocent until proven guilty. With the social work department, you are guilty until you can prove your innocence.'
It is believed the assault claims may relate to out-of-date restraint techniques once used to control violent youngsters.

We understand that ex-Rovers defender Jon Maloney is considering the offer of a scholarship at an American University to study for a sports degree. Maloney, who was released by Rovers at the end of last season, had spoken of his hope of signing for York City, where he spent three months on loan last season.

Admission prices for the remaining two away pre-season games being played by Doncaster Rovers have been announced. The details are for the two matches that are to be played on Saturday, 30th July at Worksop Town and Hucknall Town. The details are as follows:
Worksop Town v Rovers, Saturday 30th July, kick-off 3pm
Adults: £8.00, Concessions: £4.00
A limited number of corporate hospitality places in the 1861 suite, which includes a table overlooking the pitch, a buffet and match ticket are available at £20, and must be booked in advance. To book, or for further details, please phone 01909 510911.
Hucknall Town v Rovers, Saturday 30th July, kick-off 3pm
Adults: £5.00, OAP/Students: £3.00, Children: £1.00
This game has now been designated as a benefit for former Rovers defender Dean Barrick, who is now manager at Hucknall.

Sean McDaid has been given a week-to-week contract so that Rovers can look at him further. Penney did confirm that Rovers are still looking to add more players to their squad this week, but it now appears that Finnish striker Heikennen will not be one of them. After contract negotiations appeared to have gone well, the player has not been back in touch with the club, and Rovers are now presuming that the deal is dead.

Former Aston Villa and Doncaster Rovers midfielder John McGrath is hoping to be named in Limerick's squad for this evening's game against Scunthorpe United, who are on a two-match tour of Ireland this week. McGrath is also on trials at Darlington, and Conference side York are also showing an interest. The 23-year old was released by Kidderminster in the summer as the club aimed to cut their wage bill following relegation. The former Irish U-21 international said: "I would love to line out for Limerick on Monday night but it all depends on whether I am offered a contract over the next few days. I would like to thank Limerick FC Chairman Danny Drew for inviting me over but at this point I will have to wait until Sunday to know where I stand".

Gillingham reported over the weekend that Doncaster-born striker Darius Henderson has asked for a transfer "due to personal reasons". The news is likely to interest a number of clubs, with Sky Sports mentioning Rovers, Bristol City, Sheffield Wednesday and Swindon Town as being interested in the player. Henderson finished as the Gills' top scorer last season, but it is expected that, with two years to go on his contract, Gillingham will be demanding a sizeable fee for his services.
Gillingham boss Neale Cooper told their official web site: "I'm very disappointed because he has impressed in training and is part of my plans for this season. He's an asset and it would take a big offer before we'd consider letting him go."

Following the success of the event last summer, the Doncaster Rovers squad will be taking part in a cricket match at the Warmsworth Cricket Club on Sunday, 24th July. The proceedings are due to get underway at 1.30pm.

Doncaster Rovers' youth side went down to a 4-1 home defeat to Rochdale in yesterday morning's pre-season game at Cantley Park. After a physical opening to the game, the visitors took the lead just after 20 minutes' play, with a second goal minutes later struck from long range taking a huge deflection to land in the back of the net. Rovers finished the first half playing badly, with the physical element of the game a major problem.
Five minutes after the break Rochdale were awarded a penalty, but the spot kick went well wide. The 70th minute saw the visitors score their third goal, but with only three minutes left to play, Rovers finally pulled a goal back. The day was summed up though as Rochdale won a corner straight from the kick-off, from which they scored their fourth goal of the day.
The next pre-season game for the youth side is on Wednesday, when they travel to Askern Welfare (kick-ff 7pm).

Speaking on "Rovers World", Dave Penney said that he was fairly pleased with the first 70 minutes of yesterday's match, but that his side lost their shape after the introduction of six second half substitutes. He had planned to give no-one more than 60 minutes, but injuries to other players did not allow this to happen.
A number of players were absent yesterday due to injury, although a number could have played if absolutely necessary. There were a number of knocks/dead leg injuries - Marples, Foster, Ryan, McGuire and Fortune-West were all described in this category. Andy Warrington was a little sore after his hernia operation, and Green twisted an ankle in training. He expects all of them to be back in training next week.

Former Doncaster Rovers goalkeeper Paul Crichton is currently having trials at Conference National side Cambridge United. Crichton has played for several clubs since leaving Norwich City last summer, the latest club being Accrington Stanley. Crichton has featured in two of their pre-season games so far this summer.

Former Rovers striker Ben Jackson will miss several months of next season after suffering a broken leg during Halifax Town's pre-season friendly at Brighouse Town last week. The injury was sustained after just 15 minutes, with Jackson being at Halifax on trials in the hope of winning a contract. Jackson was taken to Calderdale Royal Infirmary straight from the ground.
Halifax boss Chris Wilder said: "It will be a big disappointment for the player, and it is disappointing for us as well because we wanted to have a good look at him."

The usual half-paced style of pre-season games continued at Belle Vue this afternoon, and whilst Rovers took the lead thanks to a Neil Roberts goal early in the second half, two good strikes from Peterborough - the second in added time at the end of the second half - was enough to give the visitors a flattering victory. Rovers included two trialists, Shaun McDaid and Yoshemar, in their squad, and the six second half substitutes also included youth team players Adam Brown and Craig Nelthorpe. The new players had reasonable home debuts, but Paul Heffernan rarely had the chance to shine after a dearth of good passes/crosses in dangerous parts of the pitch greatly limited his scoring chances.
The Rovers side this afternoon was:
Jan Budtz, Dave Mulligtan, Mark Albrighton, Nick Fenton, Shaun McDaid, James Coppinger,Sean Thornton, Ricky Ravenhill, Michael McIndoe, Paul Heffernan, Neil Roberts.
Subs used - Steve Roberts (for Albrighton, 60), Lewis Guy (for Neil Roberts, 60), Yoshemar (for Thornton, 60), Adam Brown (for Coppinge,r 75), Craig Nelthorpe (for McIndoe, 75), Tim Ryan (for Fenton, 82)

Doncaster Rovers have pulled out of Tuesday's away friendly fixture at Gainsborough Trinity due to "unforseen injuries". Rovers, who had promised to send a full first team to the game, will be hoping to rearrange the game for early in the new season. Dave Penney said:"We did not want to send a weakened side after promising a full first team but due to injuries it would be only the youth who could have gone."
Bearing in mind the above, it is unclear what side Rovers will be putting out for this afternoon's game against Peterborough (kick-off 3pm at Belle Vue). Admission to the game will be £10 for adults and £1 for concessions.

Wolverhampton Wanderers have turned down a £50,000 bid from Rovers for young midfielder Sammy Clingan, who has also been the subject of a bid from Chesterfield. Wolves' Chief Executive said: "We have received bids worth £50,000 for Sammy but we are not prepared to let a player, who we have invested so much time in developing through our youth ranks, go for such a fee."
Clingan made 15 appearances for Chesterfield whilst on loan last season, and is an Irish Under-21 international.

Former Doncaster Rovers winger Andy Watson has re-signed for UniBond Premier League club Farsley Celtic. He has been forced to give up the full-time game after suffering a knee injury. He left Farsley for Chester City at the beginning of last season, but rarely featured for Mark Wright's side. Watson, now 26 years old, has also played for Rovers and Tamworth.

The Rovers youth team play the second of their pre-season friendly fixtures this morning, when they face Rochdale at Cantley Park. The match kicks off at 11am.