Derby date at Bradford City may be too soon for Doncaster Rovers goalkeeper Lawlor

Lawlor came off with an ankle injury in Tuesday’s home loss to Shrewsbury Town and was replaced by Marko Marosi, with Rovers initially worried that he could be out for an extended period.

But Ferguson has allayed those concerns, while admitting that the weekend game at Valley Parade might come a little bit too soon, with Marosi likely to deputise.

Ferguson said: “He (Lawlor) is not that bad, actually. He is a lot better than what we thought and we have had some good news.

“He has even got half a chance for Saturday, perhaps. Although we will have to see how he is tomorrow (Friday).

“We were worried and we thought it might be a really bad one, but it is a little bit of damage to an old injury he has got, which has just flared up.

“But there’s no need for real concern. It is a big relief for us all.

“I’d be more than happy to play Marko (on Saturday) and I have no issue with that as he did excellent last season. But Ian has been in good form.”

Meanwhile, Ferguson also confirmed that injury-hit striker Alex Kiwomya is likely to remained sidelined until at least the Christmas period.

He added: “He is getting better, but it is going to be a slow one. There has been a slight improvement in him, but I will be honest - I don’t think you are going to see him before Christmas.”