Millwall v Doncaster Rovers: Injury offers O’Connor opening to re-establish Rovers standing

Initially axed by manager Dean Saunders, O’Connor has a fresh opportunity to prove his worth following an injury suffered by Pascal Chimbonda.

The former French international – one of eight high-profile signings on short-term deals – has missed the last two games with a torn hip flexor and was yesterday ruled out for another month.

His absence re-opens the door for O’Connor, who has been a key player for Rovers over the last five years.

Impressive in last weekend’s goalless draw against Watford, the 27-year-old full-back will definitely start tonight’s away trip to Millwall.

“I have been here a long time and I feel really close to the club,” O’Connor said.

“It hurts me to see us where we are at the bottom of the table and I want to do as much as anyone else to make sure we stay up.”

On his recent absence, O’Connor said: “I have had an up-and-down time all year. I’ve had a few injuries and I haven’t really had a good enough run of games. It’s probably the first time in my career that I’ve struggled like that which is disappointing but, hopefully, Saturday is a building point.

“People say ‘What about the new players coming in?’ but, at the end of the day, we all want to do well for the football club.

“In the position we are in, any new manager coming in has got to change things. You can go a different route but these are good players who are coming in. If we all gel and work hard together it can only be a positive.”

The biggest coup for Rovers was the capture of Senegalese international El-Hadji Diouf although the former Liverpool and Bolton Wanderers striker will miss tonight’s game with a hamstring strain

Despite his controversial past, O’Connor says Diouf has been an instant hit in the Rovers’ dressing room. He was even appointed team captain by Saunders last weekend.

“People talk about reputations but El-Hadji has been first class,” he said. “He has been a first-class professional and all the signings have been a positive move. He was excellent as captain last weekend and was going around the dressing room before the game talking to all the other lads. He led by example with his work rate and showed his experience.

“You have got to take people for what you see,” stressed O’Connor. “You can’t judge people on things that you read about them in the newspaper.

“Although the lads speak different languages, the communication is there on the pitch.

“They are all experienced players and football is a universal language.

“If we are adding quality players, it will hopefully enable us to kick on. We have worked ridiculpusly hard over the last three and a half years to keep this club in the Championship and we don’t want to just chuck that away.

“Obviously, it doesn’t just change around overnight without hard work but we have pulled out of these sorts of situations before and that experience must stand us in good stead.”

Although the emergency loan window is now closed until January 1, Rovers still have the option to sign free agents.

Former Lyon and Newcastle United defender Lamine Diatta, 36, has been training with the club for the last two weeks and a crippling injury list could necessitate a short-term deal.

Others currently sidelined with Chimbonda and Diouf include George Friend, Richard Naylor, Shelton Martis, Tommy Spurr, James Chambers, Rachid Bouhenna, John Oster, Martin Woods, and Chris Brown. Defender Adam Lockwood is serving a three-game ban.

“It was a good job we signed three players last week or we would only have had 11 fit players last weekend,” said Saunders. “The situation is unbelievable. I’ve never seen anything like it before in my career.”

Winger James Coppinger missed the Watford game with an ankle injury but returned to full training yesterday and is back in the squad.

Saunders has further bolstered his options by recalling midfielder Mark Wilson from a loan spell at Walsall.

Teenage left-back James Husband, who signed his first professional contract with the club only last week, will also be travelling to the New Den.

With Millwall currently 21st in the table, a victory tonight could lift bottom-of-the-table Rovers within three points of safety.

“We know it will be tough – Millwall is one of the hardest places in football to play – but we don’t fear anybody,” Saunders said. “The signs are good. We have the confidence to go to Millwall and resist the opposition.”