Doncaster Rovers look for return to winning ways in EFL Trophy date

IN THE FRAME: Doncaster Rovers' Paul Keegan, right, is expected to feature against Port Vale on Tuesday night. Picture Simon Bellis/Sportimage

The Scot has lauded his side several times so far this season following a robust opening third of 2016-17, but Saturday was most definitely not one of those occasions.

Rovers blotted their copybook en route to a desperately disappointing 2-1 FA Cup exit at Oldham Athletic and while victory tonight will not totally compensate for that, it would certainly help.

Rovers can book their progression into the next stage with a positive result against Port Vale this evening and while Ferguson will make changes to his line-up, he is expecting a much-improved showing – whatever the make-up of the personnel.

He said: “It is three games without a win.

“Nobody is panicking, of course, but we need to get back to winning ways. We need to stop this small problem at the moment of conceding too many goals. It would be nice to get another win to qualify.”

Midfield pivot Paul Keegan has been earmarked for an appearance, with the experienced duo of Craig Alcock and Frazer Richardson also pencilled in for 45 minutes of football against Vale.

The loan trio of Riccardo Calder, Niall Mason and Jordan Houghton are also set to start, with Alfie Beestin and Liam Mandeville also to feature.

Meanwhile, X-rays have revealed that influential defender Andy Butler has suffered no significant back injury after landing awkwardly in Saturday’s loss at Boundary Park.

Butler received lengthy treatment towards the end of the game before being stretchered off the field and taken to hospital.

But medical reports have revealed no damage to the club captain’s spine and he is likely to be fit for the League Two game at Exeter City on Saturday.