League one play-offs

DONCASTER Rovers defender Sam Hird has already missed out on one trip to Wembley this season and is desperate to book a ticket for the League One play-off final.

Hird, the only Doncaster-born player in the Rovers side, spent three months on loan at Grimsby Town but was unable to play in the Mariners' march to the Johnstone's Paint Trophy final because he was cup-tied.

The 20-year-old has now been thrust into the limelight with Rovers due to an injury crisis and makes only his sixth start for the club in tonight's play-off semi-final second leg against Southend United.

Significantly, Hird's contract expires next month so his future at the Keepmoat Stadium could yet rest heavily on his play-off displays.

"This is definitely a big opportunity for me and I would like to think that I am proving I can play at this level," he told the Yorkshire Post. "Nothing has been discussed yet in relation to contracts but hopefully I will have done enough to get offered something."

Manager Sean O'Driscoll pinned his faith in the young centre-back after injuries ruled out captain Adam Lockwood, Welsh international Steve Roberts, and summer signing Gordon Greer.

Rovers have subsequently kept two clean sheets in the last three games including last Friday's goalless first leg against Southend at Roots Hall.

Hird, who was released last summer after failing to make the grade at Leeds United, has waited patiently for his opportunity but admits he now wants to play more regular football.

"Although I am still young, I feel that I am at the age where I want to push on and be playing regularly," he said. "When I came back from Grimsby, I wasn't expecting to play but it's funny how things have turned out. I have not played for two thirds of the season but, here I am now, thrown in at the deep end.

"It's every player's dream to play at Wembley but the first priority is beating Southend. We have to put Wembley to the back of our minds and be focused on winning this game."

Rovers striker Paul Heffernan is ruled out of tonight's game after picking up a three-match ban for violent conduct in the final minutes of the first leg.

Heffernan clashed heads with Southend defender Charlie Mulgrew and was adjudged to have been the aggressor by referee Paul Taylor.

"It was harsh because I barely touched him, but it was a stupid thing to do and I have learned a big lesson," Heffernan admitted. "I won't do it again."