September 15, 2007

England for the Keepmoat

The Keepmoat Stadium is to hold a second England game, with news emerging this week that the UEFA U19 Qualifier between England and Iceland will take place at the stadium on Friday, 12th October. The match will kick off at 7.45pm, with tickets on sale at the ticket office now, priced £3 for adults and concessios £1. The adult price if paying on the night will be £5.

September 15, 2007

Rovers injury concerns for Crewe clash

Sean O'Driscoll will wait until tomorow before naming his side for the home game against Crewe Alexandra, with a number of players carrying injuries at the moment. Midfielders MarkWison, Martin Woods and Brian Stock, along with striker Mark McCammon, all face late fitness tests, but O'Driscoll is hoping all four will be able to play. James Coppinger, originally expected to be out for several weeks after damaging ankle ligaments against Bournemouth three weeks ago, apparently has an outside chance of playing - and with the successful return to playing for Jason Price in the midweek friendly game against Sunderland, there is a chance that Price will also be included in the squad, although a starting place is surely out of the question.
Rovers are still searching for their first home league win of the season, with disappointing results so far this season putting pressure on the management team to pick up some points on Sunday.

September 15, 2007

Thornley stays with Albion

Former Doncaster Rovers striker Rod Thornley has confirmed that he will stay with UniBond Premier League club Witton Albion to help with their promotion bid. The former Altrincham striker scored on his Witton debut a couple of weeks ago before joining up with the England national team in his role as a masseur. Thornley has apparently had offers from other clubs at a higher level than Witton, but has turned them all down. Rod joined Albion after being released by Blue Square Premier side Altrincham after featuring as a substitute once in their opening five matches of this season.

September 14, 2007

Dyer to Millers

September 14, 2007

Nicol sees red as Revolution fall

Former Rovers defender Steve Nicol, now manager at US side New England Revolution, was sent to the stands in the 67th minute of their match against DC United last weekend as his side went down to a 4-2 defeat. Controversy reigned in the match - Revolution disputed DC's opening goal, with Nicol disputing United's third goal in the second half that led to his dismissal. It seems there is "history" between the two sides, with Nicol commenting: . "D.C. is a good team, they are hard to beat as it is without the officials. Yet again, a good game is spoiled by the officials. The last time we were here, Shalrie [Joseph] got sent off for nothing and they got a penalty [kick] for nothing. The first goal [yesterday] was offside but the [play leading to the third goal] was not a hairline call. Anyone within 20 yards of it had to see it."
"We can't set the team up to play against the officials," Nicol said. "They have no idea of the implications of their decisions. But we've got six games to go and there's 18 points."

September 14, 2007

Blayney continues for Boh's

Former Doncaster Rovers goalkeeper Alan Blayney will continue in goal for Irish club Bohemians this weekend as he deputises for first choice Brian Murphy, who has a leg injury. Blayney signed for the Gypsies in mid-August and made his Bohemians debut away at Bray Wanderers on 31st August, where he kept a clean sheet.

September 13, 2007

Griffith scores winner

Anthony Griffith, on loan at Halifax Town, scored his first goal for the club on Tuesday evening as he fired home the only goal of the game against Woking. The win extends Halifax's unbeaten run to four matches and lifts the club to 11th in the Blue Square Premier table.

September 13, 2007

Rovers 5 Sunderland 0

Doncaster Rovers comfortably won a "behind closed doors" match against a young Sunderland reserves team on Tuesday, which featured the playing return of Jason Price, following his long absence with an achilles tendon injury. The match was played in three thirty minute periods, with Rovers going 3-0 up in the first half hour, thanks to goals by Lewis Guy, Jason Price and Craig Nelthorpe.
Sunderland had the better of the second period, which ended goalless but saw the visitors win half a dozen corners, and Ben Smith had to be alert to deny a lively attack. The final period saw Paul Heffernan and Gareth Roberts on target to wrap up the Rovers victory.
Rovers squad: Ben Smith, Sam Hird, Matt Mills, Steve Roberts, Gareth Roberts, Jason Price, Paul Green, Richie Wellens, Craig Nelthorpe, Lewis Guy, Paul Heffernan, Gordon Greer, Adam Lockwood, James O'Connor, James Hayter, Andrew Boyce, Tom Griffiths, Andrew Hawksworth, Luke Duffy, Jordan Lodge, Danny Bowland
Sunderland: Hunter, Kay, Donoghue, Hartley, Liddle, Berry, Weir, Richardson, Dennehy, Dowson, Waghorn.
Subs (all used): Luscombe, Pelter, Colback

September 13, 2007

Horlock faces more time out

Kevin Horlock has been dealt a further blow this week with news emerging that he has had to have another operation on his injured shoulder, which was to release the "capsule of the joint". This should enable him to enjoy more movement in the shoulder, but it looks likely that Kevin will be missing for a few more weeks as he recovers.
Young defender Matthew Noble has also had surgery this week. He had fractured a bone in his wrist and has had a pin inserted to help it heal.
James Coppinger is expected to resume training today; Jason Price and Graeme Lee continue to build up their fitness after lengthy absences, but are not expected to be considered for this weekend's match against Crewe Alexandra.

September 13, 2007

Blunt quits Sutton

Former Doncaster Rovers midfielder Jason Blunt has resigned as manager of Sutton Town and signed on as a player at Goole Town. Blunt had been manager at Sutton last season and had stayed with the club following their demotion to the Central Midlands League due to financial problems. However, the drop in status has ultimately been the reason for Blunt's departure, but before leaving he paid tribute to the people now running Sutton Town.
He said: "The new committee have come in and turned things round, and it is a fantastic club now - properly structured and one which any new manager should be proud to take on. But I've been a professional footballer for many years and to be honest I found the close season drop to the Central Midlands League a touch too far. As the playing budget disappeared I lost the majority of the old team and it became harder to attract new players, or to get my head around the mentality of football at this level."

September 11, 2007

Rovers play Sunderland behind "closed doors"

Doncaster Rovers are to play a "behind closed doors" training game against Premiership club Sunderland today - but fans will not be allowed into the training ground to watch the game "due to health and safety reasons". Instead, anyone watching the game will have to satisfy themselves with watching from outside the perimiter fence.
No starting time has been advertised for the game.

September 11, 2007

Southend v Rovers ticket information

Tickets for the forthcoming away game at Southend (Saturday 22nd September) are now on sale to season ticket holders from the Keepmoat Stadium ticket office. They will go on general sale from Thursday, 13th September, and remain on sale until 3pm on Thursday, 20th September. Tickets for "Away Rover" members will be reserved for one week.
Ticket prices:
Adults £20, Under 16's £10, Senior Citizens (60+) £13, Students (with ID) £12, Ages 17 to 20 £12 (with ID - only available in advance), Ambulant disabled £13.
Any wheelchair disabled supporters should contact Southend United direct on 08444 770077.
Southend have requested that advance tickets are withdrawan from sale on Thursday, 20th September at 3pm. Tickets bought on the day will increase by £2.

September 11, 2007

Voting results v Northampton

Striker Mark McCammon was the clear winner in the latest "Man of the Match" vote, receiving nearly half of all votes cast. A total of eight Rovers players were nominated, with those receiving most votes being as follows:
1 Mark McCammon (48.15%)
2 Matthew Mills (14.81%)
2 Gareth Roberts (14.81%)
Thank you to everyone who voted - the next poll will open following Sunday's home game against Crewe Alexandra.

September 10, 2007

Leo wins award

Former Doncaster Rovers striker Leo Fortune-West has won the Blue Square Premier "Player of the Month" for August, winning the award from a short-list of five players after scoring five goals as Cambridge United ended the month unbeaten.
Another former Rover (albeit only a loan player), Andy Campbell, currently at Halifax Town, came third.

September 9, 2007

Youth team 7 Mansfield Town 1

Paul Wilson's youth team registered a convincing win on Saturday, crushing their counterparts from Mansfield by a 7-1 scoreline.
Rovers went in front in the 23rd minute, when Alex Henderson fired home from close range. The second goal came five minutes later, with Tom Griffith's 25-yard strike. Mansfield reduced the deficit three minutes before half time when Trimmer latched on to a loose ball after the Rovers keeper had pulled off a good save.
It took just two minutes after the restart for Jordan Lodge to restore the two goal margin, chipping the keeper from 30 yards. Tom Griffiths got number 4 in the 52nd minute from the penalty spot, and Craig Fletcher headed home Rovers' fifth on 65 minutes. Further goals from Alex Henderson and Jordan Lodge completed a comprehensive win.
Rovers: Jack Ward. Andrew Hawksworth, Andrew Boyce, Luke Duffy, Danny Bowland, Robbie Clark, Tom Griffiths, Robbie Hall, Alex Henderson, Jordan Lodge, Craig Fletcher.
Substitutes: Joe Conkleton (for Clark, 67), Matt Fenney (for Hawksworth, 72), Joe Lumsden (for Fletcher, 77), Scott Bibby, Matthew Stirland

September 9, 2007

Goals review

The review of goals scored by former Rovers players is fairly short this week, with the fixture list greatly reduced owing to the international matches taking place over the weekend.
In League Two, Jack Lester scored Chesterfield's third goal in their 3-1 home win over Bury, and Gregg Blundell scored Darlington's second goal as Dave Penney's men won 2-0 at Rotherham United - a victory that puts the Quakers top of the League Two table.

September 8, 2007

Rovers drawn at home

Doncaster Rovers have been drawn at home to Oldham Athletic in the second round of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy, with the tie due to be played in the week commencing Monday, 8th October. The draw also sees Leeds United travel to Dave Penney's Darlington for their first match in the competition.
The full draw is:
Northern Section: Wrexham/ Macclesfield v Stockport, Carlisle v Chester, Morecambe v Port Vale, Rochdale v Bury, Doncaster v Oldham,
Darlington v Leeds, Lincoln City v Hartlepool, Rotherham v Grimsby
Southern Section:
Hereford v Yeovil, Bristol Rovers v Bournemouth, Swindon v Cheltenham, Swansea v Wycombe, M K Dons v Peterborough, Brighton v Barnet, Leyton Orient v Dagenham & Redbridge, Gillingham v Luton

September 8, 2007

Northampton Town 2 Rovers 0

Followinng Tuesday's 5-1 win over Bradford City, Rovers made several changes to the starting line-up for last night's game at Sixfields, with Sean O'Driscoll relying on the team that won at Swansea City last weekend. With both teams having a variable start to the season, it was an ideal opportunity for Rovers to pick up three points and climb up the table. Unfortunately it wasn't to be, with some strange formations/ structures leaving many puzzled, including playing Mark McCammon wide on the left for most of the game.
The first half comprised of an early flurry of activity, with Rovers' best chance coming from James Hayter, who shot wide under a challenge after McCammon headed the ball into his path. The game settled into a midfield battle for most of the remainder of the half, although McCammon did get a header on target which was comfortably saved by Northampton keeper, Mark Bunn.
Rovers went behind five minutes after the restart, with Ryan Gilligan lofting the ball over Neil Sullivan into the top corner of the net. Rovers did push forward more after this set-back, with McCammon, Wilson and Hayter being denied as shots were saved or blocked. Northampton made only occasional forays into the Rovers half as they defended their lead, but in the 70th minute the home side won a corner, from which Andy Kirk volleyed home from short range.
A disappointing performance and a disappointing result from Rovers, who brought over 800 supporters down for the match. The result leaves Rovers in 17th place, ahead of many other teams playing

September 8, 2007

Rovers sign Valentino

Doncaster Rovers have announced that former Arsenal trialist Valentino Shielis has joined the club on a one-year contract. The 17-year old was spotted by Mickey Walker during the summer whilst doing some coaching out in Cyprus, with Mickey comenting: "He was tall, slim; the same sort of build as Jermaine Jenas and he is the same sort of footballer. He's predominately left footed but can also play with his right. Having worked with Jermaine Jenas for three years at Nottingham Forest I thought that Valentino had something."
However, Valentino will not be in action immediately - he had a hernia operation last Tuesday, so it will be a few weeks before the fans will get to see him play in Rovers' colours.

September 8, 2007

Cup draw this morning

The draw for the second round of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy takes place on Sky Sports' "Soccer AM" show this morning. Rovers began their defence of the trophy in style on Tuesday evening by demolishing Bradford City 5-1 in their first round match, and will be looking for a home match in this morning's draw.

September 7, 2007

Northampton v Rovers

Doncaster Rovers travel to Northampton Town's Sixfields Stadium today for this evening's League One fixture. Rovers will be hoping to keep their form of the last couple of matches going, but despite hitting five goals on Tuesday, we expect Sean O'Driscoll to return to a side more similar to that which played at Swansea City rather than against Bradford.
Rovers report that Mark McCammon and Brian Stock have minor knocks, but both are expected to be fit to play this evening. Rovers will be looking to continue their improved form of late - a win tonight by more than one goal would, even if only overnight, lift them into the play-off places.
Northampton begin the game in 22nd place, with just two points from their opening games. They will be without Chris Doing, Danny Jackoman and Giles Coke due to injuries, but Jason Crowe, Ian Henderson and Andy Kirk are all set to return.

September 7, 2007

Commentary on tonight's game

The commentary of tonight's game is being broadcast on BBC Radio Sheffield - the match kicks off at 7.45pm

September 7, 2007

Lewis wins your vote

Rovers striker Lewis Guy was the clear "Man of the Match" for his performance in Tuesday's home game against Bradford, gaining over one in three of all votes cast. With an improved performance again leading to many more votes being cast, a total of nine players received nominations, with those receiving the most votes as follows:
1 Lewis Guy (36.36%)
2 Paul Green (25.0%)
3 Mark McCammon (11.36%)
4 Martin Woods (10.23%)
Thank you to everyone that voted. The next poll will open following this evening's away game at Northampton Town.
The current rankings in the "Player of the Season", which takes all the votes cast in the individual matches into account, sees Richie Wellens in the lead (23.38%), followed by Martin Woods, Lewis Guy and James Coppinger.

September 6, 2007

Boss happy with Rovers show

Sean O'Driscoll was very happy with his five-goal Rovers for their performance in Tuesday's Johnstone's Paint Trophy match against Bradford City - even though City look set to be fined £5,000 by the competition authorities for fielding an understrength team.
He said: "We've got a quick turnaround with a game at Northampton on Friday night so I was pleased to get the job well done. The game was virtually over at half-time with us leading 3-0 so I got the chance to bring three subs on fairly early to give them a game. I rested some of the players who platyed at Swansea on Saturday and played some of the people who haven't been getting a start so all the squad, apart from the injured players, have all had a game in the last few days."
""It was a good performance. We looked sharp at the start and we kept the momentum and focus going. We are always going to create chances and when you score goals when you are applying pressure then confidence flows and everything becomes very easy. "To play with four up front is a brave way of playing. There will be times when we get caught on the break, but when we get it right we look a very good side."
However, Bradford boss Stuart McCall is unrepentant over the threat of the fine being levied by the Football League. He said: "I don't give a monkey's what they think. We've rested two players - Omar Daley, who travels with Jamaica on Saturday to Columbia and Mark Bower, who was sick last week. The rest are injured.
"We played the strongest team we could apart from two players - we used seven of those who finished the game on Saturday. I'm having to play people who are carrying little injuries and we picked up two more with Barry Conlon and Kyle Nix."
"Lincoln will be sat at home now laughing their heads off and relaxing because they don't have a game. The League want fairness and fair play. But when the draws are made they should pick one team out for a bye and whoever they've got to play on the weekend should also be exempt. We've got three away games in a week while Lincoln have had six days off - there's no way it's fair what we're doing."
The Bantams boss said: "You learn as much in defeat as you do victory. Doncaster have better players in a lot of areas and we've seen how far we have to come - and we'll get there."

September 6, 2007

Coppinger injury update

A scan has revealed that James Coppinger tore an ankle ligament during the recent home game against Bournemouth and will be missing from the side for up to three weeks. Rovers manager Sean O'Driscoll commented: "I think that physio John Dickens feared the worst after James suffered some reaction last week so I think he will be pleased that it is just a straightforward injury."

September 6, 2007

Wellens in "Team of the week"

Rovers midfielder Richie Wellens has been named in the "Team of the Week" for League One after his match-winning performance on Saturday against Swansea City. The full "Team of the Week" is: Mark Bunn (Northampton), Aaron Lescott (Bristol City), Richard Keogh (Huddersfield), Michael Nelson (Hartlepool), Zigor Arnalde (Carlisle), Gary Liddle (Hartlepool), Jonathan Douglas (Leeds), Craig Rocastle (Port Vale), Richard Wellens (Doncaster), Gary Mulligan (Gillingham), Tresor Kandol (Leeds)

September 5, 2007

Rovers 5 Bradford City 1

Doncaster Rovers handed out a warning to other clubs that they are keen to retain the Johnstone's Paint Trophy, crushing a disappointing Bradford City at the Keepmoat Stadium last night. Although Rovers' performance did not hit the peaks of that shown against Lincoln, it was a very comfortable win, with McCammon (2) Guy scoring for Rovers in the first half. Guy's goal was superb, as he carved a home through the Bradford defence before unleahing an unstoppable shot into the top corner. The only thing that would have finished the evening off is that Paul Heffernan had scored. He did everything he could to score - at least two of the three goals - McCammon's second goal was courtesy of Heffernan's shot having hit the post and bounced across the face of goal, and Woods' goal was a follow-up after Heffernan's shot had been blocked.
Rovers made several changes from Saturday's line-up, with Steve Roberts coming in for his first game of the season to partner Matthew Mills - and the pair put in a most assured defensive performance.
The "Man of the match" voting is now closed. The result will be confirmed on Friday morning.

September 5, 2007

McGuire goes on loan

Former Rovers defender Phil McGuire has joined Inverness Caledonian Thistle on a month's loan from Dunfermline Athletic. The loan went through ten minutes before Friday's midnight deadline, and gives McGuire the chance to get some first team matches in, as he had not been playing in Dundermline's team of late.

September 5, 2007

Chesterfield 1 Youth team 1

The Rovers' youth team drew 1-1 in their latest league match against Chesterfield, with Jordan Lodge scoring the Rovers goal.
Rovers: James Gilpin, Andrew Hawksworth, Daniel Bowland, Robert Hall, Andrew Boyce, Charles Fisher, Jordan Lodge, Tom Griffiths, Wade Farehurst, Scott Bibby, Alex Henderson
Substitutes: Luke Duffy (for Fisher, 60, Jack Ward, Joe Conkleton, Robert Clark, Matthew Stirland

September 4, 2007

Rovers v Bradford City

Doncaster Rovers begin their defence of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy this evening when they face Bradford City in the first round of the 2007/2008 competition. With reduced admission charges, Rovers will be hoping that the fans will come along to the Keepmoat Stadium, with the atmosphere generated by the crowd being a vital component in the success of the team. At least the atmosphere should be greatly improved following Saturday's superb win at Swansea.
Rovers are likely to rely on the squad of players that have featured in the majority of matches so far this season. Brian Stock looks likely to retain his place in the Rovers midfield after making an impressive return to the side following surgery for his first appearance of the season. Apart from that, the longer term absentees - Graeme Lee, Kevin Horlock and Jason Price - continue to be absent, although Lee and Price are now back in training and are expected to be in contention before the end of the month. James Coppinger will also miss out as he continues to recover from an ankle injury sustained against Bournemouth.
Bradford City look likely to give striker Peter Thorne his debut. Thorne joined the club in the summer, but has been prevented from playing by a hip injury. Midfielder Paul Evans will miss the game after picking up a head injury in Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Barnet, but boss Stuart McCall's major worry comes in the goalkeeping department, where Donovan Ricketts picked up a slight groin injury on Saturday. With untested 18-year old Ben Saynor the only goalkeeping backup, McCall will be hoping that Ricketts is passed fit later on today.

September 4, 2007

Carlisle sign Harry

Carlisle United have signed Chelsea defender Harry Worley on a month's loan. Worley spent the later stages of the 2006/07 season on loan at Rovers, but returned to Chelsea in the summer. Chelsea signed him from Stockport for an initial £150,000 in the summer of 2005, but with the large number of imported players in the Chelsea squad, his chances of breaking through into the first team are remote at the moment.

September 4, 2007

Richie is the clear winner

Richie Wellens was the clear winner of the "Man of the Match" voting for the Swansea City game on Saturday, registering the largest winning margin of the season.
With five players receiving nominations, Wellens led the way with almost 69% of all votes cast - his nearest rival was Brian Stock, who collected a little over 13% of the voting.
Thank you to everyone who took the time and trouble to vote - as usual, all the votes will be carried forward to the "Player of the Season" totals; we will update you on those figures later on this month. The next poll will open following this evening's home game against Bradford City.

September 3, 2007

Wheater sinks the Blues

David Wheater, who was on loan at Doncaster Rovers a couple of seasons ago, scored Middlesbrough's first goal at the weekend as they beat Birmingham City 2-0. A 12th minute goal set Boro on the way to victory, with Birmingham putting in what boss Steve Bruce called a "woeful performance". Wheater has been a regular in the centre of Middlesbrough's defence this season due to injuries to his more senior colleagues, but has put in some superb performances.

September 3, 2007

Redfearn has crisis talks after Vics lose

Former Rovers midfielder Neil Redfearn, now manager at Northwich Victoria, was whisked away from Saturday's game at Farsley Celtic for show-down talks with the Vics' chairman, Mike Connett. Redfearn left without speaking to the press following their disastrous 2-1 defeat, which leaves Northwich next to bottom of the Conference with five defeats out of six matches played. Redfearn only took over as manager shortly before the start of the season, signing a dozen players to boost a squad that had been depleted by many departures during the summer.
Connett was waiting for Redfearn by the players' tunnel before the pair left the ground together only minutes later.
Northwich are due to play Nigel Clough's high-flying Burton Albion in a home match tomorrow evening.

September 3, 2007

Mulligan in move to Mariners

Former Doncaster Rovers defender Dave Mulligan has joined Grimsby Town on a month's loan from Scunthorpe United. The New Zealand international left Rovers to join Scunthorpe last summer, but has not made a first team appearance so far this season, and has moved to Grimsby to get some first team match practice.

September 1, 2007

Swansea 1 Rovers 2

After the recent run of disappointing performances and results, most Rovers fans were not too optimistic on Rovers coming away from the Liberty Stadium with any points - but Rovers did, thanks to two goals in the last 22 minutes of the game. Rovers had gone behind in the first half with Jason Scotland's goal, but the turning point of the game came in the 62nd minute when Swansea's Ferrie Bodde was sent off for violent conduct, which appeared to be a head-butt. Two strikes by Richie Wellens, the second one an absolute screamer, won the game for Rovers in a much improved display - hopefully this win will kick-start the Rovers' season. Sean O'Driscoll sprang a big surprise in his starting line-up by naming midfielder Brian Stock in the Rovers midfield in place of Martin Woods and the former Preston player was key in the Rovers victory
The "Man of the Match" voting is now closed. Thank you to everyone who voted; we'll let you know the result on Tuesday morning.

September 2, 2007

Goals review

We begin our review of former Rovers players scoring goals this weekend in the Championship, where defender Andy Crosby scored Scunthorpe's first goal on their way to a 3-2 victory over Sheffield United, which puts his side in fourth place in the table.
In League One, Richie Barker scored from the penalty spot as Hartlepool maintained their good start to the season by winning 4-1 at home to Oldham Athletic. In League Two, Jack Lester scored Chesterfield's second goal in their 2-0 home victory over Wycombe Wanderers.
Dropping down into the Blue Square Premier League, Tristram Whitman scored an 89th minute winner for Farsley Celtic as they defeated Northwich Victoria 2-1, whilst on Friday night, Leo Fortune-West scored for Cambridge United as they drew 2-2 at Weymouth - a result that keeps Cambridge in third place in the table, two points behind leaders Torquay United.
In the UniBond Premier League, goals from former Rovers players Rod Thornley and Steve Brodie scored the goals for Witton Albion in their 2-0 home win over Eastwood Town, a victory which puts Albion into second place, albeit only on goal difference.
Also in the UniBond Premier, Rob O'Brien scored the only goal of the game for Ossett Town against Marine.
Finally, some things never change. North of the border, Hamilton maintained their 100% winning record in the Scottish First Division by winning 3-0 at Partick - sent along the way by two goals from ex-Rover Richard Offiong. That makes him the First Division's top goal scorer to date, with seven goals from the opening five league games.

September 2, 2007

Marples to Bloods?

Former Doncaster Rovers defender Simon Marples is attracting strong interest from Blue Square Premier club Droylsden and Farsley Celtic. Marples has not featured for Chester City so far this season and does not currently feature in manager Bobby Williamson's plans. However, any such transfer has not been confirmed before the transfer deadline of 31st August, meaning that if either club wish to take Marples on, it will have to be initially on loan.

September 1, 2007

Swansea v Rovers

Doncaster Rovers could make a couple of changes to the starting eleven for this afternoon's away game at Swansea City. James Coppinger is a couple of weeks away from a return after injuring his ankle in the home match against Bournemouth, with Lewis Guy likely to continue to deputise. Mark McCammon continues to push for a start after being restricted to appearances from the substitutes bench this season. Despite the disappointing start to the season, we expect the squad to be very similar to that named by Sean O'Driscoll for all matches so far.
Swansea will be without defenders Marcos Painter (foot) and Alan Tate (fractured knee-cap) for today's game. They have brought in three new players this week, with striker Northern Ireland international Warren Feeney perhaps the best known to Rovers fans. Feeney has joined on a four-month loan from Cardiff. Also joining the Swans are left-sided player Andrea Orlandi from French club Alaves and goalkeeper David Knight from Middlesbrough, both of who have signed on free transfers.
Whilst Rovers arrive at the Liberty Stadium today on the back of indifferent form, Swansea manager Roberto Martinez said the following: "Doncaster are one of the best sides in League One. They play exciting and attacking football and I can guarantee you that they will be a force this season. Tactically and technically they are one of the best teams in the division - their passing and movement is out of this division. They share the same footballing philosophy as us. They like to attack and score goals, so you should see a great advert for League One."

September 1, 2007

Travel to Swansea

All coaches, mini-buses and cars travelling to this afternoon's match should leave the M4 at junction 45 and head towards Swansea City Centre on the A4067. Coaches and minibuses shoudl follow the brown stadium signs for two miles and park in the stadium's car park, which costs £10 per vehicle. There is no parking for cars at the stadium. All supporters should use the "Park and Ride" scheme, which is signpsoted 350 yards after you leave the M4 at junction 45. There is a £5 charge per car.
There are no pubs close to the staidum for away fans, but there are food and drink outlets within the concourse of the away end, all of which will be open at least one hour before kick-off.
No tickets are on sale to visiting supporters on match days, so if you do not have a ticket, please do not travel.

September 1, 2007

McCormack on target

Former Rovers loan striker Ross McCormack scored a second half "wonder strike" for Motherwell during their 3-1 victory over Raith Rovers in this week's CIS Insurance Cup tie. The victory takes Motherwell through to the third round of the competition.

September 1, 2007

Voting results