Doncaster Rovers manager Grant McCann expects to have a new face in his squad in the coming days.
The Rovers boss revealed that his side are closing in on what should be their final incoming in January, before the window closes at the start of February. And it’s in a position which has caused McCann plenty of headaches in recent times.
Donny have just four senior centre-halves on the books at the moment, after Connor O’Riordan was recalled by parent club Blackburn Rovers earlier this month. That list includes 18-year-old Kasper Williams, who has just returned from a loan at Stocksbridge Park Steels, and whose only two senior appearances for Rovers came last season.
Jay McGrath and Seán Grehan lined up in defence during their Vertu Trophy victory over Fleetwood Town, but the latter missed out against AFC Wimbledon six days ago. That meant Owen Bailey had to fill in at the heart of defence, though the midfielder bagged the matchwinner in the 99th minute at The Cherry Red Records Stadium.
Nevertheless, it was far from an ideal situation for Doncaster. With just two recognised centre-halves named in the squad last Saturday in south west London, a new signing was always likely to be on their radar as the end of the transfer window approaches.
McCann, who is set for his 500th game as a manager against Wigan Athletic, is hopeful of an arrival before hosting the Latics tomorrow afternoon.
“I think we’re quite close to bringing a centre-back in. We’re working very hard to make that happen before the weekend. If it doesn’t happen then it’ll be the early part of next week.
“We’re just waiting to hear back but I think we’re near enough there. It’s just a timing issue with his club. We were always going to bring in one in that area but it had to be the right one. The clubs have agreed, the player’s agreed, the agent’s happy. There’s a lot of things that go into it, even with a loan these days.
“We’ve already brought five bodies into the building and this will probably be the last piece of the jigsaw if we can hopefully get it done.”
Squad Update
There was further positive news for Rovers, with several injured players returning. Ben Close was back in the fold after suffering a collapsed lung against Stockport County last month. Rovers may have been in the market for a midfielder, but his return is a welcome one, and closes the possibility of bringing in a replacement.
Centre-half Grehan returned, while winter signing Francis Okoronkwo was also back in training yesterday after recovering from a hamstring knock. The on-loan Everton forward, who spent the first half of the season at Lincoln City, has been joined by ex-Imp Hakeeb Adelakun at Rovers this month.
Completing the South Yorkshire outfits’ signings are midfielder Darren Robinson (Derby County) and goalkeeper Zander Clark (Hearts). Grant McCann’s son, Bayley, also joined the club at the beginning of the month from Barnsley, joining National League North outfit Alfreton Town.
Rovers will hope those incomings can kick-start their campaign. They moved to within three points of safety with that win at Wimbledon last weekend, keeping a rare clean sheet. Only Leyton Orient have conceded more goals than Donny’s 41 this term, with the two sides clashing on Tuesday evening, in a pivotal clash at the bottom of League One.