Rovers play their third consecutive home game on Tuesday night, this time in cup action, as they host fellow Sky Bet League One side Blackpool in the second round of the Carabao Cup.
Rovers progressed through to this stage following their 2-1 victory away at local rivals Scunthorpe United, with goals from Mallik Wilks and Danny Andrew sealing their place in the next round.
Blackpool made their way into the second round after a 3-1 win at home to Barnsley, with goals from Michael Nottingham, Harry Pritchard and Armand Gnanduillet turning the game on its head after George Moncur’s early opener.
Brief history of Blackpool FC
Blackpool play at the 17,338-capacity Bloomfield Road stadium, which has been their home since 1900.
They are nicknamed the Seasiders after their proximity to the coast, also being dubbed the Tangerines due to their distinctive shirt colour.
The Seasiders were in the Premier League as recently as 2011, being promoted via the Championship play-offs the previous year after a 3-2 win over Cardiff City in the final at Wembley Stadium.
Blackpool were promoted to League One alongside Rovers in 2017, also via the play-offs after beating Exeter City at the national stadium to ensure that they, like Rovers automatically, were promoted back to the third tier at the first attempt after relegation at the end of the previous campaign.
Who’s the gaffer?
The Seasiders are currently without a permanent manager following the departure of Gary Bowyer shortly after the opening game of the season. Terry McPhillips is the man currently in temporary charge at Bloomfield Road.
Ones to watch
Mark Cullen
The striker signed for the Seasiders in 2015, signing an initial three-year deal, which was extended over the summer. It was Cullen’s goal in the play-off final over Exeter City which would seal the Tangerines promotion back to League One after scoring nine league goals during the regular campaign. Last season saw Cullen’s playing time was limited last season after injury, but he has started this campaign off brightly, with goals so far against Portsmouth and Coventry City.
Michael Nottingham
The St Kitts and Nevis international defender signed a two-year deal with the Seasiders after helping Salford City to win promotion from the National League North last season. His promotion from the sixth tier would be his second following another National League North promotion with Solihull Moors. Nottingham is now looking to make a name for himself in the EFL after time in non-league and scored his first goal for the club in the last round of this competition.
Jay Spearing
The midfielder is a man with Premier League experience, making 30 appearances for Liverpool after coming through the Reds youth academy. Spearing left Anfield after a 16-year association with the club, signing for Bolton Wanderers in 2013 after a loan spell the season before. He joined Blackpool in October 2017, initially until the end of the season before extending his contract at Bloomfield Road.
Who’s the ref?
Anthony Backhouse will be the man in the middle when the two sides meet at the Keepmoat Stadium. He has officiated five games in league and cup this season, dishing out 11 yellow cards, but he is yet to brandish a red.
Backhouse’s last game in charge of Rovers came in their 2-2 draw away at Shrewsbury Town in January 2018, whilst his last match in charge of the Seasiders came in their 5-0 win over Bradford City at home in April.
He will be joined by assistant referees Matthew Jones and Gary Hilton, with Tom Nield being named as the fourth official.
Last time out
Rovers ran out 2-1 winners at Bloomfield Road when the two sides met at Bloomfield Road on Good Friday this year. Tommy Rowe scored twice, with Colin Daniel briefly bringing the Seasiders level in the second half.
The last game between the two sides at the Keepmoat Stadium was a thriller, as Rovers were pegged back three times by their visitors, with goals from John Marquis and Alfie May, as well as an own-goal from Ryan Allsop, all being cancelled out by Sean Longstaff, Oliver Turton and Callum Cooke in a 3-3 draw in August 2017.
Tickets for Rovers’ Carabao Cup second round tie with Blackpool are still available via the Club Doncaster Box Office – purchase yours now by either visiting in store, by calling on 01302 762576, or online at tickets.clubdoncaster.co.uk.