Rovers get their 2020/21 Sky Bet League One campaign up and running this weekend when they take on MK Dons at the Keepmoat Stadium.
The Dons were the last team Rovers faced in the league, a 1-0 victory at Stadium MK back in March prior to the season being brought to an early end.
Competitive action so far
Rovers began their competitive campaign almost two weeks ago with a narrow defeat at Sky Bet Championship side Blackburn Rovers in the Carabao Cup first round. Their attention then turned to the EFL Trophy group-stage with Bradford City the opponents. Darren Moore’s side were held to a goalless draw on Tuesday night before securing the bonus point on offer with a penalty shootout victory thanks to the heroics from debutant Louis Jones.
MK Dons also took on Championship opposition in the Carabao Cup as they were beaten 1-0 at home to Coventry City, they also missed a penalty with the game goalless. Their last outing saw them run out comfortable 3-1 winners against Northampton Town in the EFL Trophy
The man in charge
Russell Martin took over as the Dons’ manager in November last year after the departure of Paul Tisdale. The former Peterborough United and Norwich City defender had a spell as a player with the club before taking the managerial hotseat.
Since taking the job, Martin has been in charge of 25 games, winning eight, drawing six and losing 11, giving him an overall win percentage of 32%.
Ones to watch
Jordan Houghton
The defensive midfielder is well know to Rovers fans after enjoying two loans at the Keepmoat Stadium. Houghton initially joined the club ahead of the 2016/17 season from Chelsea and made an immediate impact, becoming an integral part of Darren Ferguson’s promotion winning side.
He re-joined the club for another loan the season after, before agreeing to join MK Dons at the end of his contract with Chelsea. He added another promotion to his CV in his first season at stadium MK, and established himself back in Sky Bet League One last season.
Scott Fraser
The creative midfielder only signed for the club this week after MK Dons won the race for his signature. Fraser was well coveted after leaving fellow Sky Bet League One side Burton Albion at the end of last season and his addition represents something of a coup for the Dons.
After beginning his career with Dundee United, the 25-year-old signed for Burton ahead of the 2018/19 campaign and quickly established himself as one of the best players at the club. He scored nine goals and contributed with 14 assists last season.
Carlton Morris
Morris was Russell Martin’s first signing as manager when he joined the club on loan from Sky Bet Championship side Norwich City in January. After a successful first stint at the club, Morris re-joined the Dons in the summer on a season-long loan deal and will lead the line for the upcoming season.
The 24-year-old already has plenty of Sky Bet League One experience under his belt, with his most impressive spell coming when he scored 10 goals in guiding Shrewsbury Town to the play-off final in the 2017/18 campaign.
Last time out
Rovers beat MK Dons 1-0 at Stadium MK in the final Sky Bet League One fixture before the COVID-19 shutdown. Aston Villa loanee Jacob Ramsey scored the only goal of the game to seal all three points for Darren Moore’s side.
More ahead of this match
Watch pre-match interviews
