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DONCASTER Rovers expect to learn in the next 48 hours whether their club-record bid to sign Sheffield United striker Billy Sharp has been successful.Reputed to have bid around £1m for the 24 year-old striker - more than three times their existing club record - Rovers face strong opposition from relegated Burnley.Both Rovers and Burnley have expressed their confidence that they will win the raceto sign Sharp, who is out contract next summer, in recent days.Leeds United are also reported to be interested in the player.Although Rovers are unlikely to be able to match Burnley's terms, the hope is that a combination of the success he enjoyed at the club last season, and the closer proximity of Doncaster to his Sheffield home than Burnley, might influence Sharp's decision.For their part, Burnley will hope that the fact that Sharp played under manager Brian Laws at Scunthorpe will help them win the day.With the start of pre-season just a week away, Rovers cannot afford to hang fire for much longer. Manager Sean O'Driscoll has drawn up a shortlist of potential targets should he miss out on Sharp, the club's top-scorer last season with 15.O'Driscoll is also looking to bring in a midfielder and a centre-back - though he has hinted that he could use the loan market to replace Jason Shackell.His hands have been tied to a certain extent over the uncertainty of the Sharp situation.Even though he has been handed a club-record budget, O'Driscoll admits that were he to land the Blades' star it would impact on the money to strengthen elsewhere.O'Driscoll will also be turning his attention to finalising contract details with striker James Hayter and John Oster this week following his return from holiday.Ideally, he would like everything in place before the club travel to Warwick University for a five-day camp on July 12.Rovers play their first warm-up game at Askern Villa on Wednesday week.
There are signs. I have confidence he will be in the hoops next season.