O'Driscoll has been on holiday in Portugal since steering the club to victory over Leeds United in the League One play-off final but returned to England yesterday afternoon.

Rovers have already suffered one setback since winning promotion – the loss of midfielder Paul Green to Derby County – and the Yorkshire Post can reveal that Swansea City now want to hijack the club's bid to sign defender Matthew Mills from Manchester City.

Ryan agreed to pay a club record £300,000 to land Mills, who spent the majority of last season on loan at the Keepmoat Stadium, but is not prepared to be held to ransom over wages.

When Green rejected both a pay rise and the offer of a testimonial with Rovers last week, it was due to the lure of a £6,000-a-week pay deal with Derby who will start next season among the favourites to win promotion.

Ambitious Swansea, promoted as League One champions, will also be able to offer more money than Rovers who, admits Ryan, are one of the smallest clubs in next season's Championship.

Yet Ryan is confident of upsetting the odds and it is understood O'Driscoll has lined-up a replacement for Green.

It will be a major surprise if Rovers lose any more players under freedom of contract and only defender Graeme Lee and youngster Matty Noble have been released. O'Driscoll offered new deals to strikers Jason Price and Mark McCammon, midfielders Mark Wilson and Craig Nelthorpe, and defenders Sam Hird, Adam Lockwood, Gareth Roberts and Steve Roberts.

Ryan said: "We are under no illusions that next season is going to be tough and, if we don't get relegated, that will be regarded as a success.

"But I know a lot of the players are confident that we can do well. They have looked at what Hull and Bristol City have achieved in the last couple of seasons and think that may be possible for us too."

Stressing the importance of manager O'Driscoll, who landed an improved deal as a result of the club's promotion, Ryan added: "One of the main reasons I brought Sean to this club was the fact that, as a manager, he has always shown the ability to punch above his weight. Why can't he do the same again?

"The last time we were favourites for relegation was at the beginning of the 2003-04 season," he added. "We won the League Two title and finished above Hull who are now in the Premier League!"

Rovers, meanwhile, are firmly on course to sell a record number of season tickets ahead of their first stint in the Championship for 50 years.

Over 5,000 have already been sold and discount prices, ranging from £280 – £420 for adults and £60 and £30 for children, have been frozen until June 13.