Rovers go green with the NSPCC

Last updated : 24 April 2009 By Donnysteve
And it won't be just the one-off green and white kit they will be wearing as part of their link-up with the NSPCC.

Picture: Steve Uttley
New look: Rovers players sport the NSPCC shirts the side will wear tomorrow   Picture: Steve Uttley

Leading scorer Paul Heffernan, who had a cartilage operation yesterday, and Mark Wilson (calf), have joined the four first teamers already ruled out for the season.

With Jason Price, on loan at Millwall, and Stuart Elliott (ankle) out injured, Rovers boss Sean O'Driscoll admits he is down to the bare bones.

"We are struggling to fill the bench," he said yesterday.

O'Driscoll's resources may be stretched even further if he opts not to risk record buy Matt Mills.

The centre-back has been carrying a groin injury for several weeks and O'Driscoll is concerned that by playing Mills in the last two games that he risks aggravating an injury that would probably clear up with rest during the close season.

"We've got options up front but defensively we are a bit short," said O'Driscoll.

"If we bring in some of the youngsters we've got to make sure that we ask them to do jobs that they are comfortable with and that they are confident enough to go out on to the pitch and play to their strengths.

"Waide Fairhurst has been champing at the bit to get into the team and you'd like to see what he does and how he'd cope."

Despite there being little at stake for either team, O'Driscoll is predicting a lively encounter.

"They are going to be competitive; all Neil Warnock's sides are," he said.

"He's got the same problem as me and a few other managers in that does he risk a player whose injury you can make worse by playing him?

"I would imagine that a lot of his talented youngsters will be given a game.

"We are both second-guessing each other on what sort of teams we put out - but it will be competitive.

"It is our last game at the Keepmoat and we've not played particularly well of late - especially the Preston game - so it would be nice to finish the season giving the supporters, who have stuck with us all through the season, something to smile about."

Other news is that Dean Shiels has been named in the Northern Ireland B squad to play Scotland B in a friendly at Clyde on May 6