Millwall v Doncaster Rovers: Injury offers O’Connor opening to re-establish Rovers standing

Initially axed by manager Dean Saunders, O’Connor has a fresh opportunity to prove his worth following an injury suffered by Pascal Chimbonda.

The former French international – one of eight high-profile signings on short-term deals – has missed the last two games with a torn hip flexor and was yesterday ruled out for another month.

His absence re-opens the door for O’Connor, who has been a key player for Rovers over the last five years.

Impressive in last weekend’s goalless draw against Watford, the 27-year-old full-back will definitely start tonight’s away trip to Millwall.

“I have been here a long time and I feel really close to the club,” O’Connor said.

“It hurts me to see us where we are at the bottom of the table and I want to do as much as anyone else to make sure we stay up.”

On his recent absence, O’Connor said: “I have had an up-and-down time all year. I’ve had a few injuries and I haven’t really had a good enough run of games. It’s probably the first time in my career that I’ve struggled like that which is disappointing but, hopefully, Saturday is a building point.

“People say ‘What about the new players coming in?’ but, at the end of the day, we all want to do well for the football club.

“In the position we are in, any new manager coming in has got to change things. You can go a different route but these are good players who are coming in. If we all gel and work hard together it can only be a positive.”

The biggest coup for Rovers was the capture of Senegalese international El-Hadji Diouf although the former Liverpool and Bolton Wanderers striker will miss tonight’s game with a hamstring strain