Doncaster v Scunthorpe preview

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Doncaster will assess Luke McCullough and Richie Wellens as they prepare to round off their season at home to local rivals Scunthorpe.

Defender McCullough and midfielder Wellens both missed the trip to Notts County last weekend through injury and remain slight doubts ahead of the final match of the campaign.

Striker Theo Robinson is back at the Keepmoat Stadium from his loan spell with the Iron and could be set for one final appearance for Rovers before his contract expires in the summer.

Likewise 35-year-old defender Rob Jones, whose injury problems over the past two years have left him with an uncertain future ahead of his current deal coming to an end in the summer.

Scunthorpe midfielder David Syers could be handed his first start in over eight months against his former club.

Syers sustained serious knee and hamstring injuries at Swindon on the opening day of the season and made his comeback off the bench against Peterborough earlier this month.

Fellow midfielder Isaiah Osbourne remains doubtful due to the knock that kept him out of last week’s home win against Gillingham, so Everton loanee John Lundstram is expected to start again.

Boss Mark Robins has no new injury or suspension worries, but on-loan Chelsea defender Alex Davey (calf) also remains doubtful.

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Doncaster v Scunthorpe preview

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Doncaster captain Rob Jones is expected to be fit to face his former club.

Jones, who was knocked unconscious during the 2-0 home defeat to Crewe on November 6, suffered mild concussion against Carlisle on Tuesday night but the defender should still retain his place in the side.

Midfielder Sammy Clingan (calf) is still sidelined while defender Jamie McCombe (back) and winger Kyle Bennett (knee) have resumed light training but will also remain out.

Meanwhile, right-back Paul Quinn is set for an extended absence after a routine MRI scan flagged up an “abnormality” which requires further checks.

The 3-1 win at Carlisle lifted Rovers up to fourth in the table but assistant manager Brian Carey said: “We’re doing okay at the moment but we’ve still got loads to do and we can keep getting better. We haven’t done anything yet.

“Results at home haven’t been as good as we would have wanted so we need to address that. This is a fantastic game for the supporters and it should be a good atmosphere.”

Scunthorpe will include new loan signing Adda Djeziri in their squad while midfielder David Prutton returns to contention following suspension.

Striker Djeziri, signed on loan from Blackpool on deadline day, could make his debut, while Prutton, on loan from Sheffield Wednesday, has been sidelined for the last three games following his recent dismissal at Walsall and is hoping to make his final appearance before returning to his parent club.

Manager Brian Laws will be without skipper Paul Reid, who sits out the second game of a three-match ban after his dismissal against Notts County last week. Fellow centre-half David Mirfin is still out with a knee injury, so recent loan signing Mark McChrystal is expected to continue alongside Niall Canavan at the heart of defence.

Midfielder Michael Collins, nursing a long-term heel injury, is not available, but it is expected to be back for the home game against Bournemouth on December 8.

Doncaster v Scunthorpe preview

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Doncaster midfielder Martin Woods is hoping to make his first appearance in nearly three months against Rovers’ local rivals.

Woods has been sidelined since October with a groin injury but will be monitored and could feature if he passes a late fitness test.

Joe Mills, on loan from Southampton, was a second-half substitute in Rovers’ last match – a 2-1 home win over Middlesbrough on December 17 – and could return to the starting line-up following an ankle injury that had kept him out since early November.

But Sean O’Driscoll will definitely be without defenders Mustapha Dumbuya, George Friend and James Chambers, all due to knee injuries. Midfielder Simon Gillett is also recovering from knee surgery and is not yet available.

Scunthorpe boss Ian Baraclough has no fresh injury worries ahead of the game.

The defensive trio of Michael Raynes (thigh), Niall Canavan (knee) and Jim McNulty (ankle) remain sidelined but the Iron have no other concerns.

Baraclough’s men head to the Keepmoat Stadium in buoyant mood after winning 2-0 at Burnley on Tuesday to end a five-match losing streak.

Baraclough said: “There have been no extra injuries and, again, they all want to be involved, which is great for a manager.

“There have been too many times this season when I’ve not been able to keep the same side or have continuity, which helps in all areas.

“If you can get settled positions and settled players without the injuries coming in then that makes my job a lot easier.”