Diouf set to stick with Doncaster for the rest of season

Diouf made a surprise short-term move to Rovers last month and has been a hit in his four games so far, in partnership with Billy Sharp.

Saunders believes the controversial Senegal star – who netted twice in victory over Ipswich Town – is enjoying his football again despite facing a tough relegation battle with bottom-side Rovers.

The Welshman is hopeful the 32-year-old, who misses tomorrow’s Championship game against leaders Southampton with a hamstring injury, will sign the new deal in the coming week.

“Dioufy feels very welcome here and he’s agreed to stay for the rest of the season,” Saunders said. “That’s great news for us.

“He’s a top player and he would get into most teams in the Premier League.

“He’s on 10 per cent of what he was earning last season – and he’s on 10 per cent of what he could be earning elsewhere.

“But what’s important to him is that he’s got a smile on his face here at Doncaster.”

Saunders has drafted in a string of new signings, and is adamant that the hard work has only just started.

“I’m not in the middle of it, I’ve hardly got started yet and there’s a lot of work to be done,” he said.

“I’ve got to try to change the mentality around and the squad around.

“But we will get the team winning eventually. It’s just gelling everything together. It takes a bit of time for everything to run smoothly.

“I’d like to pick the same team every week. If you get beaten, the same group of players then react the following week and lift themselves off the floor.

“At the minute, I’m searching for the right formula.

“I’m trying to get the right team on the pitch.”

n Rotherham United hope winger Gareth Evans could return next month after scans on his injured ankle ruled out a long-term lay-off.

The former Bradford City player injured his ankle playing against the Bantams, but Millers manager Andy Scott said: “Evo has had a scan and the report isn’t as bad as we had first feared.

“There is a problem in there but it appears that it was an injury that he has had before which won’t hamper him now.

“We are now looking at the middle of January for him to be match fit which is much better than the original diagnosis.”