EFL Trophy: Doncaster Rovers v Derby County U23 Match Preview
by The Rovers Review
After beating promotion favourites on Saturday, Rovers look for a quick turn around as Derby's reserves visit the Keepmoat this Tuesday evening.
Team news wise, Darren Ferguson said after the Portsmouth game that he will be looking to give game time to players who haven't had a lot or have been injured.
Frazer Richardson is a doubt after coming off v Portsmouth on Saturday with an injury and, judging by what Ferguson said post-match, it doesn't look like Richardson will be staying after his contract has expired in a few weeks.
I would expect the following players would come into contention for this game: Etheridge, Mason, Baudry, Garrett, Middleton, Beestin and Mandeville.
John Marquis will more than likely start; being suspended for the upcoming league two fixture against Barnet Ferguson would look to give him game time this Tuesday so he doesn't lose any match sharpness.
Gary McSheffrey won't be close to starting due to being set back on his recovery, but Craig Alcock could come into contention for being on the bench, because he was reportedly at the same recovery stage as Niall Mason was.
I would opt to not involve Alcock, because I think that when he does come back he is going to be a vital part in our defense; right-back seems to still be a weak area of our team with all three right-backs out and Matty Blair having to constantly drop into right-back (not that I'm saying Blair isn't doing a good job, but I think he's more useful to our team attacking wise).
With this being the first time our senior team have met Derby Countys' U23s in a professional match there is no history between the two teams, but I expect that we'll confidently win, especially with there being a number of players in our team, such as Mathieu Baudry, who will want to impress, so that they can have a valid argument for breaking into the first team when the chance arises.
Predicted lineup v Derby County U23s
Etheridge; Mason, Baudry, Fielding, Garrett; Middleton, Calder, Longbottom, Beestin; Mandeville and Marquis.
