Doncaster Rovers v Ipswich Town: Injury woes continue to hurt Rovers’ ambitions

O’Driscoll has been without 10 players at some points and is again short of bodies for tonight’s home game with Ipswich Town.

Midfielder Martin Woods, defenders Shelton Martis, Wayne Thomas and Mustapha Dumbuya and striker James Hayter are among those currently sidelined and pressure is mounting after six defeats in the last seven games.

“We have ended up increasing the wage bill by a third and not improving the team,” he said. “I felt at the start of the season that we were in transition. We were trying to secure our players that had proved themselves in the Championship. Players demand better contracts because that is the industry. It gets more difficult – because the amount of money you have to throw at it is increasing.

“You either sell and start again – which is something that we discussed – but it would be seen as unambitious,” he admitted. “If you sell your best players – who have a year left on their contracts – you are cashing in on them. It’s a difficult conundrum to solve.

“We have tried all season to manipulate the squad but it becomes extremely difficult when you lose as many players as we have lost. We have a mis-match of a squad and trying to put a team out that is competitve week-in, week-out becomes more and more difficult. Within, that you lose your identity.

“We have really struggled as much as at any other time,” he added.

“Even when we were bottom of the Championship (two seasons ago) we had good belief but this time we are taking one step forward and two steps back. It has taken its toll on everbody. We are trying to address it rather than throwing our toys out of the pram.”

Last six games: Rovers LLLWLL, Ipswich LWLWWD.

Last time: Rovers 3 Ipswich 3; September 19, 2009; Championship.

Referee: M Halsey.