Manager Grant McCann has said he feels Sunday's Emirates FA Cup match against Preston North End will provide a nice break from Sky Bet League One.
Rovers are flying in League One with a 5-0 victory over Rochdale on New Year’s Day taking them back into the play-off places and McCann believes a cup match against Championship opposition will be a good indicator as to how close Rovers are to that next level.
“The cup game is a nice breather, it’s a nice break. It’s going to be a tough game. No one is going to expect us to go there and get anything apart from us in the changing room,” McCann said.
“It’s a good test for us and it will show us how close we are to that level. The boys will be able to go there and play with freedom and see what we can do.
“Preston North End are a good, any team in the Championship is a good side, they’re there for a reason. We all want to get to that level, so it will be a good benchmark for us.”
The Cup match might also prove to be the first opportunity for Rovers supporters to watch new signing Kieran Sadlier. The winger committed to Rovers in December but has been unable to play due to international clearance, however, McCann is hopeful that he will be available on Sunday.
“Kieran can hopefully be available for Preston. It’s just a case of the international clearance for him but I’m told they’re quite quick with that and ours should have been one of the first ones lodged.
“We had an in-house game this week, just between ourselves, the youth team and some the U23s. It’s important to get Kieran some game time along with Tyler Smith and Paul Taylor so we can see where we are fitness wise.”
Hear more from Grant McCann in his exclusive interview featured in the DNA Quarterly. Purchase your copy for just £4 from the Club Doncaster Box Office or online at tickets.clubdoncaster.co.uk.