DRFC Rovers down to the bare bones

Doncaster Rovers boss Dean Saunders is facing a player crisis just weeks before the new season kicks off.

Saunders has added just four new signings to his squad this summer, whilst a whole host of players have left the club.

Rob Jones, David Syers, Robbie Blake and David Cotterill have so far joined this summer. Saunders has been forced to release and sell a number of senior professionals this summer to reduce the clubs wage bill following the clubs relegation from the championship.

The Rovers boss admitted after their latest pre-season game with Barnsley at the weekend that he would have liked to have seen the game cancelled due to a lack of numbers.

Speaking in the Sheffield Star, Saunders said, "I would like to have called the game off, but obviously we can`t, because you can see we are desperately short of players."

Rovers are down to just thirteen senior professionals at the club after the sales of George Friend and James O`Connor last week and more could still leave.

Brian Stock is reportedly on the verge of a move to Burnley and Kyle Bennett and James Coppinger are also being linked with a move to Nottingham Forest.

Saunders will be desperate to add to his squad this week. Striker Billy Paynter is reported to be on the brink of signing after training with the club towards the end of last week.

There are three trialists currently with the squad. Amari Morgan-Smith, James Harper and Karl Hawley all played in the friendly with Barnsley.

Fellow trialists Paul Quinn is no longer with the club after turning down the chance to sign for Rovers.

The 27 year old right back was released by Cardiff City at the end of last season has played twice for Rovers recently in pre-season but he turned down the contract offer made to him by Saunders.

Rovers are now just six days away from their first competitive game of the season when they entertain York City on Saturday in the first round of the League Cup.






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