November 15, 2009

Duo set for return

Centre backs Adam Lockwood and Byron Webster could be ready to return to the side next Saturdy for the home game against Queens Park Rangers, following news that both have returned to full training after injury absences. Webster has missed the last five games after injuring his elbow in the away game at Sheffield United, whilst Lockwood has been out of the side since the end of September after breaking two bones in his foot in the Swansea City match.
The news will be most welcome, especially since loan defender Jason Shackell looks to be set for a few matches out. Rovers have fears that he has torn a muscle in his groin; if that turns out to be the case, he will face several weeks on the sidelines.
Rovers physio, John Dickens, said: "It all depends on what the scan shows as to how long Jason will be out. If it's just inflammation then he could be back for the QPR game on Saturday week, but if he's got a slight tear then obviously he'll be out a bit longer."

November 15, 2009

Unhappy debut for Gilbert

Former Rovers loan defender Peter Gilbert has signed for Northampton Town on a contract which lasts until the end of the season. Gilbert has been training with the Cobblers in recent weeks after leaving Oldham Athletic earlier in the season, after they were unwilling to offer him a longer term deal.
Northampton boss Ian Sampson said: "I am sure Peter will do a good job for us. We have had a good look at him over the last couple of weeks. He is a left footer and that helps the balance of the squad, and he is a good defender with a lot of experience of playing at a higher level. He is a good age with a good degree of experience. We have been looking to strengthen defensively and I am sure he will prove a good addition."
However, Peter's debut match for Northampton yesterday proved to be one he may wish to forget - he was sent off in the 50th minute for a professional foul. Perhaps fortuntely for him, their opponents, Grimsby Town, also had a man sent off just 11 minutes later to even up the numbers.

November 15, 2009

Rovers Belles out of League Cup

Doncaster Rovers Belles exited the FA Tesco Women's Premier League Cup at the quarter final stage a couple of weekends ago after being beaten 3-0 by Everton. Joining Everton in the semi-finals were Chelsea, who won 8-0 against Bristol Academy, and Arsenal, who beat Keynsham Town 4-0.

November 15, 2009

Nelly makes Bluebirds debut

Former Rovers winger Craig Nelthorpe made his debut for Barrow yesterday in their 2-2 home draw against AFC Wimbledon and set up Barrow's second goal, with former Rovers trialist Jason Walker volleying home from Nelthorpe's corner in the 48th minute.
Nelthorpe signed for the Bluebirds on an "emergency loan deal" last Tuesday after asking for a move away from York City, where he had failed to start a match since joining the club in the summer. Nelthorpe will stay at Barrow on loan until 5th January.

November 15, 2009

Rovers check out Austrian striker

In a bid to solve their goal scoring problems of this season, Rovers have had Austrian striker Roman Kienast on trials at the club with a view to signing him on a permanent basis. The 25- year old played in a practice game against Sheffield United last week, scoring for Rovers in their 4-3 victory over the Blades. Kienast is an Austrian Under-21 international and is currently playing for Norwegian side Hamarkameratene, where he has scored 27 goals in 62 games.
Rovers boss Sean O'Driscoll commented: "We are just taking a look at him at the moment but he did quite well on Tuesday and worked hard apart from scoring."
Kienast is described as tall and rangy, naturally strong in the air but is also blessed with good with the ball at his feet and is an excellent finisher.
Rovers boss Sean O'Driscoll said: "He'd give us something different so he would add to the squad, but he wouldn't be able to play until the January window. There is an interest but nothing that we've acted upon because he's not available. The Norwegian Premier League has just finished so he's going to have a couple of weeks' rest before he comes to a decision. He's got one or two other options and he needs to see if anything comes to fruition. We've told him that we've got one or two people that we are interested in."

November 15, 2009

Man of the match update

Although we have, regretfully, only updated this web site occasionally during the past two weeks, we thank everyone who has contributed to the "Man of the Match" voting for the Blackpool and Plymouth matches.
Billy Sharp won the voting for the Blackpool game a fortnight ago as recognition for his two goals in the 3-3 draw, winning around two out of every three votes cast. For the away game at Plymouth last Saturday, Dean Shiels won the voting with just over 45% of the votes, followed by John Oster and Martin Woods.
Again, we thank you for all votes cast during the season - normal service will be resumed with immediate effect, meaning the next vote, for the home game against Queens Park Rangers, will open on Saturday evening.

November 15, 2009

Apologies

We would like to apologise for the lack of updates during the past fortnight, due to only limited access to broadband being possible during that time. Normal service will now be resumed - we will be including as many news items in the next few days as possible to catch up with what has happened during that time.

November 10, 2009

Youth team win cup clash

Doncaster Rovers' youth side beat Walsall in a closely contested match in the second round of the Football League Youth Alliance Cup on Saturday morning, although the match went to penalty kicks after the match ended level at 3-3.
The match, played at the National Sports Centre, Lilleshall got off to a bad start for Rovers, who went behind after just two minutes when the keeper was lobbed from the edge of the area. Rovers hit back with a boal from Oldham, and chances fell to both sides in the next 20 minutes. Rovers went behind in the 43rd minute after a mistake in defence allowed Walsall to score, and Walsall went 3-1 up just a minute later when the ball was headed home from a left wing cross.
Rovers were still behind in the 87th minute - but a minute later pulled a goal back when Adkins headed home from a right wing cross. The match was set for a tense few final minutes, with Rovers going on all-out attack in an attempt to score an equaliser. Deep into added time, the pressure paid off, with Clifton heading home to level the match at 3-3, meaning a penalty shoot-out was to follow.
Walsal missed their first penalty - then all penalties were scored by both sides until it was 3-4 to Rovers, at which stage Walsall blazed their fifth, and final, spot kick over the bar. That gave Rovers victory and passage into the third round.
Doncaster Rovers: Biggs, Towler, Turner, Blake, Clifton, Jones, Grayson, Oldham, Hoyle, Moxam, Stirland
Substitutes: Thompson (for Moxam, 58), Radcliffe (for Tower, 81), Adkins (for Grayson, 82), Betts, Maxstead

November 7, 2009

Plymouth 2 Rovers 1

The alarm bells will start to ring following yesterday's defeat at Plymouth Argyle, who started the day in the bottom three. The result sees Plymouth draw level with Rovers on 15 points, and Rovers are now just one point above a relegation place. The first half ended all square, with the home side taking the lead after 21 minutes of play - but Rovers bounced back to equalise only five minutes later, when Dean Shiels slotted home his third goal in the last four games - form which has seen him recalled to the Northern Ireland squad.
Whilst the first half went well for Rovers, they were hit by a huge blow five minutes after the restart when Martin Woods was sent off after receiving a second booking of the afternoon, meaning Rovers had to play the final 40 minutes of the match with ten men. Plymouth's man advantage eventually paid dividends 20 minutes later, consigning Rovers to defeat.

November 7, 2009

Shiels gets international call-up

Rovers midfielder Dean Shiels has been recalled to the Northern Ireland squad for their friendly against Serbia next weekend after being out of favour in recent Northern Ireland squads. However, his recent performances for Rovers have impressed the Irish management sufficiently to earn a recall.
The full Northern Ireland squad for the game, which will be played in Belfast on November 14th, is:
M Taylor (Birmingham), A Mannus (Shamrock), J Tuffey (Partick); G McAuley (Ipswich), A Hughes (Fulham), J Evans (Man Utd), S Craigan (Motherwell), G McCartney (Sunderland), C Baird (Fulham); N McGinn (Celtic), G McCann (Scunthorpe), M O'Connor (Scunthorpe), S Davis (Rangers), C Brunt (West Brom), D Shiels (Doncaster), P McCourt (Celtic); D Healy (Sunderland), W Feeney (Cardiff), K Lafferty (Rangers), A Kirk (Dunfermline).

November 7, 2009

Two goal Sharp in "team of the week"

Rovers' striker Billy Sharp has been named in the Championship's "Team of the Week" for his performance in last Saturday's 3-3 draw with Blackpool, which saw Sharp score twice in the second half to earn Rovers a point. This is the first time that Billy has been recognised in this way since joining the club - he will certainly be looking to continue on the goal trail this afternoon at Home Park when Rovers take on struggling Plymouth Argyle.

November 7, 2009

Web Site

We would like to apologise for the sporadic updates of this website during the past week, due to limited access to load the web pages. As soon as we are able, we will catch up with any news which may have been missed recently. Due to similar reasons, the results of the "Man of the Match" voting for the Blackpool match will be delayed until next weekend - as will the results of the voting for this afternoon's game at Plymouth. Normal daily updates will resume from Sunday, 15th November.

November 7, 2009

Plymouth v Rovers

Doncaster Rovers travel to Plymouth Argyle today keen to pick up three points which will put more distance between them and the bottom three - where Plymouth currently find themselves. Before naming the side for today's game, the last before yet another "international weekend", Sean O'Driscoll will run checks on Billy Sharp, who picked up a knock in last Saturday's home draw with Blackpool, Martin Woods (groin) and on-loan midfielder Simon Gillett (hamstring) before naming his side. Definitely missing will be long-term absentees Sean McDaid (knee), Steve Brooker (ankle), Adam Lockwood (foot) and Byron Webster (elbow).
Plymouth Argyle boss Paul Sturrock has newly installed assistant Paul Mariner to help mastermind their plans for this afternoon, but on the field, he will have to do without skipper Carl Fletcher, who is suspended for today's game.

November 7, 2009

On-loan Rovers pair miss out today

Rovers striker Waide Fairhurst, currently on loan at Shrewsbury Town, has been ruled out of this afternoon's FA Cup First Round tie as Rovers have refused permission for him to play in the game to prevent Waide from becoming cup-tied. Goalkeeper Ben Smith will also not play in Morecambe's cup clash today, also to prevent him becoming cup-tied for the rest of the season.

November 5, 2009

Plymouth tickets update

Tickets for Saturday's away game at Plymouth Argyle remain on sale at the Keepmoat Stadium ticket office, but will be removed from sale on Friday lunchtime.
Admission prices for the game are as follows:
Adults: £24
Senior Citizens (65+) & 18-22 yrs: £16
17 years & under: £7
Family ticket (1 adult & 1 child): £26
Ambulant disabled pay the relevant price, but their carer is admitted free of charge.
Wheelchair disabled supporter should contact Plymouth Argyle direct on 0845 338 7232.

November 5, 2009

Drink drive charge will not affect Ross's Scotland place

The arrest of former Rovers loan striker Ross McCormack on a drink driving charge early on Sunday will not affect his chances of being selected for the Scotland national side, say sources close to Scottish boss George Burley. The Cardiff striker will appear in Cardiff's magistrates court on November 9th, just five days before Scotland face Wales at Cardiff City's stadium.
The unnamed source said: “We do not see Burley dropping him for this incident. He does not have too many strikers available and, with the match being in Cardiff as well, if Ross is fit, he will be in the squad.”
McCormack has just recovered from a lengthy absence due to a hamstring injury, and will be hoping to add ot the four senior caps he already has.

November 5, 2009

Offiong - told to follow Beckford example

Ex-Rovers striker Richard Offiong has been told to follow the example of former Carlisle United flop Jermaine Beckford in order to revive his flagging career. Offiong has made a less than impressive start to his career at Carlisle United, having failed to score since his £90,000 move from Hamilton in the summer, and has struggled to maintain a first team place.
However, boss Greg Abbott believes that Offiong can take heart from the way that Beckford turned his career around after a disappointing loan stay at Brunton Park in the 2006/07 season.
Abbott commented: “With Richard, I am taking heart in what Jermaine Beckford did. He probably looked worse at the time and found it more difficult than Richard is doing. Richard has found it different, and difficult, and he has got to accept that and deal with it. He is working hard at it. Jermaine came through pretty quickly, and we have got to make sure Richard gets the support he needs and hope he quickly has the same lasting impact as Jermaine has had.”
Offiong is back in full training after recovering from a hamstring injury and will be hoping for a return to the first eleven for Carlisle's match on Saturday.

November 5, 2009

Saturday's match officials

The match officials for Saturday's away game at Plymouth Argyle have been announced. They are:
Referee: P. Taylor
Assistant referees: A. P. Bennett and A. Davies
Fourth Official: K. Johnson

November 3, 2009

Keith Kettleborough

We have learned that former Doncaster Rovers manager Keith Kettleborough has died, aged 74. He was born in Rotherham in June 1935 and began his career with his home town club in 1955. Over the next six seasons, he played 118 games before moving on to Sheffield United, where he played 154 games between 1960 and 1966. After a twelve month stay at Newcastle United, he joined Doncaster Rovers as player/manager in December 1966, where he made 35 starts until he left to become player/manager at Chesterfield, when he was succeeded by George Raynor at Belle Vue.
Keith became a sports master at a local private school in 1985 until taking retirement.
We would like to pass on our condolences to Keith's family at this sad time.

November 3, 2009

Simon keen to extend Rovers stay

Loan midfielder Simon Gillett is settling in well at Doncaster Rovers after arriving for a two month loan last month from Southampton. Boss Sean O'Driscoll has attempted to sign the 23 year old midfielder on numerous occasions in the past, but finally got his man this time after Gillett struggled to make the first team this season following a change of manager at St Mary's.
Gillett commented: "It is always nice to know that you are wanted by the manager and I am really thankful to the manager for persevering. I just want to come up here and play as well as I can for both him and the team and just see how it goes. I'd certainly be very happy to stay beyond December, which is when my loan period runs out."

November 3, 2009

Around the goals

We've spotted just two former Rovers players scoring goals at the weekend. Firstly, Graeme Lee scored an 85th minute equaliser for Notts County in their home game against Shrewsbury Town, marking his first goal for the club since a lengthy injury lay-off.
In the Blue Square Premier, former Rovers striker Gregg Blundell scored Chester City's third goal in their 3-1 home win over AFC Wimbledon. The points still leave Chester marooned at the bottom of the table after they were hit with a 25 point penalty for financial problems at the club - they are now on a 'mere' -7, 16 points behind next to bottom Ebbsfleet.

November 1, 2009

Rovers 3 Blackpool 3

Despite going in front after just five minutes with a goal from Martin Woods, and again through Billy Sharp immediately after the break, Rovers had to come from behind to equalise in a six-goal Halloween themed match at the Keepmoat Stadium yesterday. They also left it very late - with Billy Sharp scoring his second goal of the game in the 90th minute.
The "Man of the Match" voting is now open. If you would like to take part, please click on the logo to the left.

November 1, 2009

Brabin to scout for the Hatters

Former Rovers midfielder Gary Brabin has been appointed as the new chief scout at Blue Square Premier club Luton Town. His appointment was announced consequent to the appointment of former Walsall boss Richard Money as their new manager on Friday.
Brabin had been out of work since leaving Cambridge United during the summer after falling out with the chairman over a cut in the playing budget.
Brabin led the U's to the play-off final in his first season at Cambridge, and is keen to help Money to achieve automatic promotion this time around.
He said: "There's only one way to gain promotion and that's finishing in top spot. We have everything to play for - Oxford have got to come to us next spring and that's not going to easy for them. There's a long way to go in this season and I want to be celebrating come May. This place is going to be rocking come the end of the season."

November 1, 2009

Mulligan set for Phoenix exit

Ex-Rovers defender David Mulligan is one of eight players out of contract at the end of the seson as Wellington Phoenix consider their options for next season. Whilst the decision regarding a number of players will be delayed until after New Zealand's World Cup qualifier with Bahrain on 14th November, it looks unlikely that Mulligan will be retained, as he is considered to be a "fringe player" at Phoenix after failing to hold down a regular first team place this season.

November 1, 2009

Lockwood - no extra pressure

Rovers defender Adam Lockwood has said that the players don't feel any additional pressure in their second Championship season after successfully avoiding relegation last year. Although the going has been fairly tough this season after drawing the majority of the matches so far, the players are confident in their ability to survive at this level.
Lockwood commented: "I don't know about extra pressure. The only pressure the players feel is the pressure we put on ourselves. We want to improve as a team, we want to become better players. We make our own pressure. Last season it was daunting because we didn't know what to expect. It's no easier this season, but we've proved we're more than capable of holding our own at this level."