Rovers captain James Coppinger is enjoying his 21st pre-season in professional football - even if he has been going against medical advice.
The 37-year-old prepared for pre-season by building up his fitness after a month-long period of rest which immediately followed the end of the 2017/18 campaign.
He said: “I did have to get a lot of rest, and went four or five weeks without doing anything. Then I did a lot of long distance running, which they advise not to do now but is something I’ve done over my career and left me in good stead as I like to get a base of fitness.
“I came back underweight this year raring to go. The older you get the more you have to take care of yourself, to be at it and come back ready to compete with the younger players. It’s my 21st pre-season and 15th at Doncaster. The lads are looking good and it’s great to be back.”
Coppinger and his teammates were due to fly out to La Manga on Monday for more intensive training ahead of the opening pre-season friendly at Alfreton Town on Saturday.
He added: “We are 24/7 with each other for five days, so it’ll be good to get to know each other.
“It’s a fantastic group of players, we want to do well and I imagine the manager wants the same thing.”
Rovers kick-off their Sky Bet League One campaign at Southend United on Saturday August 4, before their first home outing against Wycombe Wanderers the following Saturday.
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