Heffernan was sent off for violent conduct in Friday night's goalless first leg of the League One play-off semi-final against Southend United and faces a three-match ban.

Taylor, however, has agreed to review the incident on video which could yet clear the striker to play in Friday night's second leg and, potentially, the final against Leeds United or Carlisle at Wembley.

Heffernan was shown a red card for aiming his head in the direction of Southend defender Charlie Mulgrew during an off-the-ball clash although the contact was minimal.

Rovers manager Sean O'Driscoll said: "It was not a headbutt as you would normally describe a headbutt.

"If someone (Mulgrew) runs 20 yards and you get annoyed and put your head into someone's face, you are giving the referee the opportunity to produce a red card, whether you think that's right or wrong.

"But the referee has been brave enough to say 'look, if you think you have got a chance to appeal, give me a bell'."

Assistant manager Richard O'Kelly added: "I have seen it on the TV and it looked a bit harsh. You ask the question why their player has run 20 yards to confront Paul. If the referee sees that as intimidation, hopefully there will be something that happens afterwards. The referee has promised to have a look at the video again."

While happy with his side's performance at Roots Hall, O'Driscoll refuses to accept that Rovers are now favourites to progress to the final.

"If you look through play-off history, I think, in some senses Southend are now favourites. The expectation is on us," he said.

"The whole play-off games, whether Championship, League One or League Two are notoriously difficult for home teams because the expectation gets to people. This will be no different on Friday night and we will have to handle that.

"It is all square, we are not protecting a lead or anything, we have to go out and win the game," he stressed.

Midfielder Richie Wellens, who missed the first leg, remains a major doubt for the second leg and it has emerged that he is delaying a hernia operation until the summer to try to help Rovers win promotion.

Should Heffernan's ban be confirmed, O'Driscoll has a number of attacking options including James Hayter, Mark McCammon, or Gareth Taylor who were all on the bench at Roots Hall.

O'Driscoll issued a rallying call to the club's supporters, stressing the need for a full house at the Keepmoat Stadium on
Friday night.

"The Southend supporters created a great atmosphere on Friday – so if we can get 15,000 in at the Keepmoat and do the same, it will put Southend under the same pressure," he said.

Southend manager Steve Tilson, meanwhile, said: "I think Doncaster feel they have already done the job so hopefully we can turn them over up there and get through. Obviously, we would have liked to be going there with an advantage but we are still in the game and there is all to play for."