James Coppinger is ready to push on as the season heads towards its’ final stages, starting with Saturday’s home clash with Charlton Athletic.
Captain Coppinger could make his 500th EFL appearance for Rovers since signing in 2004, but at the age of 37, Coppinger feels fitter than ever.
“I’m still enjoying my football, still fit, still healthy and still contributing to the side, maybe my shift from the wing to the centre of the pitch has helped me but I’m still running as much as anyone else,” Coppinger said.
“When you look at the stats, the Scunthorpe game I ran more than anyone else playing through the middle and that shows I’m still working hard and doing all the things I was doing when I was younger, so nothing has changed.
“I wake up every morning feeling fresh and with the desire to help improve this team and be successful and long may it continue.”
Coppinger is now in his 14th season with Rovers, and now as captain, he believes that the current crop of players is one that is capable of achieving big things in the near future.
“We have shown that we have been in every game, the lack of experience has maybe shown at times, but understanding each other means that this can be eradicated and if we can finish the season strongly we can look ahead to next year,” he said.
“We are so close to where we want to be, if we get things right we can be a successful team together, the lads are so hard-working and they want to do well, and the manager wants to help everyone develop.
“If things stay the same and everyone takes things on board, we can challenge at the top end of the table, we can develop not just the playing and tactical side of playing but the mental side too, you need character if you want to work hard and that shows here.”
Get your ticket to see if James Coppinger makes his 500th league start for Doncaster Rovers on Saturday against Charlton Athletic. Buy now from the Club Doncaster Box Office, either by visiting in-store, calling on 01302 762576, or online at tickets.clubdoncaster.co.uk.