Doncaster Preview.

[Woody Wilson]

A City squad staring relegation in the face, have the daunting task of a trip to champions-elect Doncaster Rovers. Two sides at different ends of the Division three spectrum, however a game that both sides will be desperate to win for completely different reasons.

Player boss Chris Brass will inevitably be without the most recent departure of his reign, Mitch Ward. Ward was fired in the build up to Tuesday's defeat to Yeovil and has had his contract "torn up". Brass is likely to maintain his recent central midfield role, in order to add some extra bite to a dwindling midfield with Richard Cooper also being a candidate for the midfield role along side the Boss after a good performance against Yeovil, with Leigh Wood dropping to the bench to accommodate this.

Dave Merris is also inline for a recall after being only a substitute in the previous two home games. This will allow Darren Dunning to resume his natural role of central midfield, as he's been covering in the void at left back whilst Merris was rested after being an almost ever-present this campaign. A deserved rest after a good, solid season, more than can be said for some of the other's in the team.

One other piece of bad news however is that top scorer and player coach will miss the rest of the season with a broken jaw. This gives players like Andy Bell, who's been confined to the bench of late, and Levent Yalcin a chance to shine in Nogan's absence. This means that Liam George, Jon Newby and one of the above should find themselves starting on Saturday, although Bass could choose to go with an extra midfielder to bolster his midfield, especially considering the game is away from home.

Possible team;- Porter; Hope, Smith, Wise; Merris, Edmondson; Brass, Cooper, Dunning; George, Newby.

Doncaster boss Dave Penny and the whole of Doncaster Rovers won't be taking any prisoners in the home encounter against the Minstermen on Saturday. The nerves are still raw after the 1-0 defeat at Bootham Crescent earlier in the season, and with Doncaster chasing the league title too, things will most certainly not be easy for City.

Some bad news for Rovers however is that they will be without centre-back Mark Albrighton as he is yet to recover from a hamstring injury that was picked up in the Easter Monday clash against Cambridge, although should Penny be desperate Albrighton could play.

Michael McIndoe is expected to be fit however even though he picked up a nasty looking eye injury in the promotion-clinching game a few weeks ago. Tim Ryan will also be available as he has completed his two match ban, and should make a swift return to the Rovers midfield


Form guide

City - Macclesfield (h) L 0-2, Cambridge (a) L 0-2, Bury (h) D 1-1, Cheltenham (h) L 0-2, Yeovil (h) L 1-2

Doncaster - Rochdale (a) D 1-1, Bury (h) W 3-1, Bristol Rovers (a) W 2-1, Cambridge (h) W 2-0, Torquay (a) L 1-0


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