Doncaster Rovers land ex-Luton Town and Derby County marksman James Collins on loan from Lincoln City
Doncaster Rovers have bolstered their attack with the loan signing of an experienced EFL marksman
Doncaster Rovers have completed the signing of seasoned marksman James Collins on loan from Lincoln City.
The 35-year-old boasts a wealth of experience and has over 700 senior appearances under his belt.
He joined Lincoln last year but missed a significant portion of their League One title-winning campaign with a serious injury.
Doncaster Rovers confirm loan addition
Collins is now on the comeback trail and has dropped back into League One to link up with Grant McCann’s Rovers squad. His loan deal runs until January.
McCann said: “James is coming back to fitness after picking up an injury last season, I think we can help him and he can certainly help us. We have a good relationship with Lincoln City and this is a move that I believe benefits all parties.
“We’ll have to be patient with him in this first month or so as he works his way back to match fitness, but to have somebody of his experience, character and goalscoring prowess makes him a huge asset for us.
“James has been working really hard with the medical team at Lincoln City and we’ve been in constant dialogue with them to ensure a smooth handover for the final stages of his rehab.
“He is someone who has been prolific everywhere he has been and will certainly have a part to play on the pitch for us, but he will also be valuable for us off of it. We know from having the likes of Billy Sharp here how beneficial it is having someone like James in your dressing room, as well as in the side.
“After speaking to James, it was really evident how hungry he is to get back and play. He loves scoring goals and being involved with a team that creates chances for him. He’s a natural born leader and winner, who adds even more pedigree to what we already have in the leadership group.
“We’re delighted to be bringing someone with his qualities to the club, the impact he’s had at Lincoln both on the pitch and off it during his time there is evident and we’re looking for him to have a similar influence with us. This is a deal that allows all parties to assess James' progress and revisit in the January window.”
Collins boasts an impressive goal record and was particularly prolific across his four-year spell at Luton Town. Between 2017 and 2021, he scored 72 goals as the Hatter climbed from League Two into the Championship.
He later secured promotion from the third tier with Derby County before emulating the feat with Lincoln last term.