Doncaster Rovers: Gary McSheffrey backing his judgement on new recruits

Rovers announced the departure of talent identification manager Graham Younger earlier this week, with the former agent having only joined the club last summer.

Rovers have stated that they plan to bring in a replacement as they prepare for life in League Two, but McSheffrey and new head of football operations James Coppinger will take a more active role in recruitment.

On the exit of Younger, McSheffrey said: “We had a discussion about that and collectively felt it was the right thing to do.

“I trust myself in the recruitment side of things and feel we’ve a good core squad. If we need to bring in five to six players to complete the squad, I trust my ability and knowledge in knowing players and contacts in the game to get the right ones in,

“Between myself, my staff and now James, we can feel we can get it right.

“If there’s not that chemistry (with an ID manager), there’s other routes you can go down, (such as) data analysts and there’s companies that get you the list of players and you can go and watch them, study it and sift through it and feel what is going to be best for your group and character-reference those players

“I feel if we all muck in, then it is achievable to do it ourselves.”

McSheffrey will hold individual meetings with the club’s 13 out of contract players next week.

The likes of John Bostock, Cameron John, Fejiri Okenabirhie, Louis Jones, Aidan Barlow, Dan Gardner and AJ Greaves see their contracts end.

Despite admitting his squad is currently too big, McSheffrey has confirmed that three to five contract renewal offers have been tabled and the club are set to exercise an option to extend captain Tom Anderson’s deal.

McSheffrey said: “There will be a few (who move on). We have some big numbers and the five loan boys will be going as well.

“We have 15 contracted players next season. If four or five renew, that’s 20. And you have a good core of your own players.

“Then, it is about sprinkling that with good loans and youngsters who want to make their name in football.”

Meanwhile, the Rovers chief admits it is unlikely that loanees Josh Martin and Matt Smith will return to the club next season, despite impressing in 2021-22.