TWO proven EFL managers who know each other well, Doncaster Rovers boss Grant McCann and Chesterfield counterpart Paul Cook will be trying to outflank each other not once, but twice over the next five days.

A Trophy meeting at the Eco-Power Stadium is the first course ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup second-round tie in North Derbyshire.

McCann recently quipped that Cook rang him to suggest that the clubs played one ‘winner takes all’ game instead of two to ‘save their players legs.’

After Saturday’s vital league success over Peterborough, the two games represent a chance for Rovers to build momentum and maintain cup interest on two fronts heading into the new year.

placeholder image — Grant McCann. Picture: Getty Images.

McCann said: "We'll do what I've always done for the cup games. We've got a big group and a big squad and we don't need to be flogging anyone.

"So we'll make some changes on Tuesday. The other boys are chomping at the bit.

"There's two back-to-back home games in the league, but in between, that there's the two cup games.

"I'm jumping the gun a little bit here, but I'd love to come out of that Stockport game with four wins. "But the next one, obviously, is the cup game. So, we want to go as far as we can in both competitions."

Harrogate Town manager Simon Weaver (Image: Tony Johnson)

On the prospects of fit-again forward Toyosi Olusanya featuring tonight, McCann added: "We'll see.

"He's only trained one day and obviously he's been out for three or four weeks, so we'll see how he is and we'll also speak with the staff after that and see how he is."

Like Rovers, Harrogate Town head into their own home Trophy tie against Blackpool with the fillip of an important weekend result.

Missing nine players, with some laid low by illness, the Sulphurites dug deep to chisel out a gutsy point at Barnet.

Manager Simon Weaver, whose side now have back-to-back games at Wetherby Road - the Sulphurites entertain Accrington in the league in seven days' time - said: "Saturday was about grabbing a point and if it’s scruffy at times, so what..

"We can move forward. We’ve had two hard away games and when you have nine out - and good players as well - it’s hard, but we’re digging in.

"It’s as simple as that. We need to bring it into the home performances in the next couple of games and deliver on that score."