Andy Butler keen to resolve future of out-of-contract Doncaster Rovers players

DONCASTER ROVERS manager Andy Butler is hoping to finalise the futures of a number of contracted players whose deals run out in the summer shortly.
Andy Butler.Andy Butler.
Andy Butler.

The League One outfit have a number of players whose contracts expire including Reece James, Jon Taylor Joe Wright, Madger Gomes, Brad Halliday, Fejiri Okenabirhie and Louis Jones.

James Coppinger is expected to retire and a host of loan players who also return to their parent clubs.

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Butler, whose side triumphed in his first game in charge against Portsmouth on Tuesday evening, said: “The first thing I said is that I want to sort out the contracts and get players signed up for Doncaster Rovers who want to be at Doncaster Rovers.

“It is vitally important you keep a core group of players and it is something the chairman, board and Gavin (Baldwin) and myself and Adam (Henshall) will sit down and speak about.

“I want it to be done pretty soon. It is an added issue that players do not need and I want them to feel relaxed and be part of this team because I want the players to represent the club and myself and the only way you can do is by having security.

“I want them (players) to also be honest with me if they have other thoughts.

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“We will have a meeting later this month where everyone will really sit down and we will hope to get things sorted.”

Rovers also awaiting the injury prognosis regarding Taylor, who went off with an ankle injury in midweek after a block tackle with Pompey’s Sean Raggett - and underwent scans.

He will definitely miss the weekend home game with Plymouth Argyle.

Butler said: “It is not ideal for Tayls and ourselves. But we will look at it and I have players pushing to get in the starting 11. One door closes and another opens. It is up to squad players to step for anyone who misses out.

“He is not in contention this weekend, not with the swelling.”

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