Doncaster Rovers v Leeds United: Confident Coppinger ready for Rovers to take off

Seven years ago, Rovers were still a non-league club who lived in the shadows of Yorkshire rivals Leeds United.

Yet now, after a remarkable rise through the league pyramid, it is Rovers – and not Leeds – who will go second in the Championship table if they win tonight.

A place in the Premier League is the ultimate goal for both clubs and Coppinger says this season's race for promotion is wide open.

"Everybody wants to get to the Premier League and this year there is a massive opportunity," he said. "I don't even think people regard us as genuine contenders, if I'm brutally honest. We certainly don't get as much exposure as we should do.

"We have massively over-achieved as a club in the last few years," he added. "But we can do even better this season if there is a bit more belief in the squad and everyone around the club."

Coppinger, the longest serving player at the Keepmoat Stadium, underlined his faith in Rovers this week by signing a new three-year deal.

Manager Sean O'Driscoll also secured the services of midfielder Martin Woods on a new three-year deal yesterday and is still in talks with captain Brian Stock and defender James O'Connor.

Several clubs, including Leeds, were rumoured to be interested in Coppinger but the Middlesbrough-born winger had no desire to move on.

"To sign a three-year deal at this stage of my career was a massive step. It says this is where I want to be. I thought about running my contract out but the grass is not always greener on the other side.

"I have seen other players leave this club and go on to so-called 'bigger' clubs with bigger money but they have not been as happy with the way they are playing football.

"I didn't want to be that type of person," he added. "I was quite happy with the contract I had been offered and I am settled in Doncaster. My wife works in Doncaster, and I have two sons who have just started school. We have improved every season I have been here and the club is still going forward."

Coppinger, now 29, celebrated his new deal by bagging a hat-trick against Norwich City in midweek – a worrying omen for Leeds.

For his last hat-trick was against Southend United two years ago – and that was also in a game immediately prior to playing Leeds; the League One play-off final at Wembley where Rovers won promotion.

Chairman John Ryan has fought a lengthy battle to tempt Leeds supporters based in Doncaster to swap Elland Road for the Keepmoat.

However, tickets for tonight's game have yet to sell out, possibly due to live television coverage, and Ryan has issued a rallying call in a bid to generate a full house at the 15,000-capacity stadium

"All these people who pretend to support Leeds and come from Doncaster; it's quite unbelievable," he said. "If you are from Doncaster – you should support Doncaster Rovers. We're better than Leeds anyway!

"For most of our footballing history, Doncaster Rovers and Leeds have been miles apart – but this is a different time now," he added.

Leeds will be seeking to recover lost pride – just 72 hours after throwing away a lead to lose 5-2 at Yorkshire rivals Barnsley.

Manager Simon Grayson conducted a 'post mortem' into the defeat on Wednesday morning and is expecting a positive reaction from his players.

"As soon as we came out of the meeting it was put to bed," Grayson said.

"You can't dismiss what happened totally – because it has to be at the back of their minds on Friday – but it should only be there as added motivation and to make sure we don't make the same mistakes again."

Grayson is likely to make changes and defenders Alex Bruce and Leigh Bromby are both in contention for recalls.

Striker Ross McCormack may also start for the first time since his arrival last month from Cardiff City and the Scottish international is no stranger to Rovers supporters having scored five goals for the club during a loan spell from Rangers four years ago.

Striker Billy Paynter, who has been injured since joining the club from Swindon Town this summer, and winger Robert Snodgrass, may also be available after returning to action on Tuesday in a behind-closed-doors friendly while striker David Somma pressed his case for a start by scoring a late goal as substitute at Oakwell.

Captain Stock is likely to return to the Rovers starting line-up after sitting on the bench against Norwich due to a back probem but striker James Hayter and defenders Wayne Thomas and James Chambers are still ruled out.

According to Leeds chairman Ken Bates, Rovers striker Billy Sharp will also be looking to prove a point. Bates says the player, via his agent, indicated a desire to move to Elland Road when quitting Sheffield United for 1.1m this summer.

Doncaster Rovers v Leeds United

Last six games: Rovers LDLWDW, Leeds DWLWWL

Last time: Rovers 1 Leeds 0; May 25, 2008; League One play-off final.

Referee: KA Woolmer (Northamptonshire).