Doncaster Rovers v Hull City: Donny can get tough when needed - Bennett

KYLE BENNETT insists anyone who considers Doncaster Rovers to be a soft touch is in for a surprise this season.

Rovers host Hull City in a Capital One Cup home derby this evening, with diminutive winger Bennett confident they have the capability to cope with any physical tactics employed by rival clubs.

Manager Dean Saunders has spoken about the need for Rovers, renowned for their passing style in recent campaigns, to win ugly in games at times this term, something they failed to do in a decidedly average 1-0 League One home reverse to Crawley on Saturday.

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Bennett said: “I can understand all the stuff about being a soft touch. It’s what people probably thought last year when we had a lot of flair players who like to pass the ball.

“But I don’t think that’s how we are; we all work hard and I don’t think you will ever see any of us backing out of a 50-50 tackle. With the work rate we put in, I think anyone would be wrong to question us. We all put 100 per cent in games and every training session.

“Before pre-season, I worked hard with one of my close friends who I went to school with who is now a sports performance coach, and it’s helped me massively. I’ve done a lot of work with him and it will stand me in good stead.

“Games can also be a battle and it’s not going to be pretty at times and we won’t be able to pass the ball around all the time, and you have to handle it. We know that.”

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Bennett says he is focusing solely on Rovers and is not being distracted by transfer talk ahead of the closure of this summer’s window at midnight on Friday.

Rovers are keen for him to pen a new deal and remain in talks with the 21-year-old while Nottingham Forest manager – and former Doncaster boss – Sean O’Driscoll has been linked with interest in the former Bury winger.

Bennett, whose older brother Elliott is a Premier League player with Norwich City, said: “You want to play at the highest level you can, any player does. Obviously, when you get interest from higher clubs in higher divisions, it’s very flattering and nice.

“Players might say, ‘I don’t like it’, but every player likes it. It’s like any sport and business – if you get interest from other people, it’s nice.

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“But at the end of the day, I’m contracted to Doncaster Rovers and I’ve got a good relationship with the gaffer and the other players.”

Defender Alex Bruce is set to miss out for the Tigers tonight after coming off with a dead leg in the 0-0 weekend draw at Charlton. Paul McShane, who came on for him at The Valley, is expected to step in.

On this evening’s tie, assistant manager Steve Agnew said: “It’s a local derby and a cup tie, and there’s a real incentive to get in the hat with the big boys.”

Last six games: Doncaster: LWWDLW, Hull DLWDLW.

Last time: Doncaster 1 Hull 1; September 27, 2011; Championship.

Referee: S Rushton (Staffs).

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