Doncaster Rovers - January Transfer Window needs and priorities

HERE are the January Transfer Window priorities for Doncaster Rovers.
Darren Moore.Darren Moore.
Darren Moore.

Transfer priorities: The first part of the window has seen Doncaster Rovers chief Darren Moore resolve two key priorities.

The first revolved around his goalkeeping situation with Moore bringing in Brentford's Ellery Balcombe on loan for the rest of the season following Joe Lumley's return to QPR.

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Moore followed up with the signing of Barnsley's out-of-favour winger/attacking midfielder Elliot Simoes, who has not played for the Oakwell club since early November.

Simoes will provide another valuable creative option in the final third for Rovers.

Winger Josh Sims is back at Southampton after his half-season loan was cut short by injury. Rovers will maintain their interest in a player who made an impact in his time at the Keepmoat and monitor his situation and fitness, but will be conscious that the 23-year-old also has interest in the Championship.

The situation with another loanee in Rayhaan Tulloch is also not straightforward. The teenage forward has featured just twice due to a hamstring injury sustained shortly after joining on a season-long loan, is back at parent club West Brom.

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His condition has improved somewhat and he could be given the green light to return to training shortly.

Aside from resolving the situations with Lumley and Tulloch especially, Rovers will have to operate a ‘one in, one out’ policy due to financial constraints at the club caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

On the outgoing front, the big story in town for the second successive window is likely to revolve around outstanding captain Ben Whiteman, whose contract is ticking down.

Whiteman was the subject of a number of failed bids from Barnsley in the last window - which fell comfortably below the club’s valuation - and he has a number of Championship admirers, including Preston.

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The question is will all the media talk lead to more clubs actively trying to prise Whiteman away in their quest to persuade Rovers to part company with their star asset or will it continue to be more rounds of speculation, but not too much else in regard to serious offers.

Ins: Ellery Balcombe (Brentford, loan), Elliot Simoes (Barnsley, loan).

Outs: Josh Sims (loan return, Southampton).

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