Doncaster Rovers: Rovers suffer Johnstone blow ahead of Robins cup test

The 21-year-old shot-stopper has gone back to Old Trafford because the Red Devils are poised to sell him to Rovers’ League One rivals Preston North End for a seven-figure sum.

That means Doncaster will have to name Marko Marosi, a 21-year-old Slovakian who has made just one substitute appearance, as their goalkeeper tomorrow night.

Rovers boss Paul Dickov said: “It’s a huge blow for us.

“It hurts but we have got to accept it.

Dickov added: “Man United have called Sam back, he’s going to Preston until the end of the season with a view to a permanent move, which I believe is round-about the seven-figure mark.

“It’s a huge blow for us because Sam’s been excellent for us.

“He was on a short-term loan and there was a call back. There was always a possibility this could happen.

“The timing’s not ideal because we’ve got a massive game tomorrow and FA rulings permit that you cannot bring another player in for a replay.

“But what it does do, and I always look on the bright side, is it gives young Marko (Marosi) a chance to come into the team for a big game and show everyone why I signed him.

“It happens and we’ve got to accept it. He was on a short-term loan and there was a call back in that so there was always a slight possibility something like this would happen and it’s happened.

“There’s no point crying over it, we’ve got to get on with it and it’ll make it that much sweeter when we go and get a victory tomorrow.”