Doncaster Rovers boss Grant McCann's pledge regarding EFL nominee Owen Bailey - and warning to summer suitors

On the one hand, it enhances the profile of one of the lower divisions’ most consistent midfielders over the past couple of seasons.

This also reflects well on the club and the work that McCann and his team and staff are doing.

Conversely, it is likely to increase the number of clubs tracking Bailey this summer. A player who, at 27, is in his peak years.

For his part, McCann remains relaxed, while making one clear declaration to any suitors thinking about prising the north-easterner away.

On Bailey (inset), who has scored 15 times this term, the Rovers chief said: "Bails has still got two years left after this. He's got a year and a year's club option.

"So we're under no sort of stress on that side of it. It would take a serious amount of money to prise him and (Luke) Molyneux away from this football club.

"When you're in the bracket of top four players in the division, supported by your peers or whatever it might be, then the price tag absolutely will rise.

"But it would take a lot to get him away from the football club.

"If the club deemed that was fit enough to be acceptable for them, then fair play to the lad because he's worked so hard over the three years he's been here to put him in this position.

"To come from Gateshead as probably the lowest-paid player at the club in the first year and to get to the point he's at now is remarkable."

Bailey is on the four-player shortlist alongside Lincoln City duo Sonny Bradley and Jack Moylan and Leyton Orient striker Dom Ballard, with the winner to be announced on the EFL's award night on Sunday, April 19.

Even if Bailey misses out, a place in the divisional line-up would still represent a magnificent achievement in just his third season in the EFL.

McCann acknowledged: "Just to be in the Team of the Year is a big thing.

"I have no doubt he'll be in that, having been nominated (for the individual award). So that's a massive thing for any player."

McCann is eyeing a response from his players after 'rattling a few cages' in a follow-up meeting in the aftermath of Monday's poor loss at Exeter.

He added: "We know we need another win to rubber-stamp our League One status and then once we get that, hopefully Saturday, we can start looking up rather than down.

"It's interesting after that meeting, the players who hadn't played on Monday went out and trained and three of them hit top speeds that they've never hit before this season.

"So, that just gives me an indication that I've rattled a few cages, which is what needed to be done and I really just want to get ourselves to that position where we're safe first and foremost and then I can start planning.

"I know exactly what we need for next season and what we need to do.

"It will be a huge summer in terms of ins and outs."