Ben Whiteman staying at Doncaster Rovers despite Barnsley’s bid, insists Darren Moore

Summer-long suitors Barnsley had what Rovers see as a derisory (reportedly seven-figure) bid for the captain rejected and with signing a replacement impossible after 5pm today, Moore insists his old club have left it too late.

Doncaster are, though, hopeful of making two loan signings.

“It’s the end of the matter because it’s not deemed anywhere near the club’s valuation,” said Moore of Barnsley’s offer. “Anything of that magnitude at this time of the window is too late.

“We as a football club know what we are and we know the value of our players.”

Sheffield United product Whiteman’s qualities have come to the fore since joining, initially on loan, in the summer of 2017.

“This time last year we had Hull City trying to entice him to their club,” said Moore. “He can’t stop the speculation, he’s doing his job to the best of his ability.”

With Rovers still trying to add to their squad reported interest in Southampton midfielder Josh Sims is thought more likely than a return for Liverpool’s Herbie Kane. They could go back for another former loanee in Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Niall Ennis.

All Moore would say was: “We’re hoping to get a couple more bodies through the door before the deadline.

“There’s a whole array of players linked but if and when we get our couple we’re looking at confirmed we’ll make it known. We can’t yet because of the competition for them.”

Doncaster’s only injury doubt for tomorrow’s League One trip to Portsmouth is over on-loan Arsenal striker Tyreece John-Jules, rested from England Under-21s’ win over Turkey as a precaution against a thigh strain. Rovers are waiting on a scan.

Support The Yorkshire Post and become a subscriber today.

Your subscription will help us to continue to bring quality news to the people of Yorkshire. In return, you’ll see fewer ads on site, get free access to our app and receive exclusive members-only offers.

So, please - if you can - pay for our work. Just £5 per month is the starting point. If you think that which we are trying to achieve is worth more, you can pay us what you think we are worth. By doing so, you will be investing in something that is becoming increasingly rare. Independent journalism that cares less about right and left and more about right and wrong. Journalism you can trust.

Thank you

James Mitchinson