Weston-Super-Mare v Doncaster Rovers: Stevens back in window on Rovers return

For the 24-year-old’s contract at Villa Park expires next summer and the Irishman will not be getting a new deal from manager Paul Lambert.

So Stevens jumped at the chance to return to Rovers – he had a successful loan spell at the Keepmoat last season – and made his second debut at the weekend against Sheffield United.

Now the left-back is hoping to impress in a Rovers shirt, and secure a permanent move, if not at Doncaster, then elsewhere.

“I am in my last year at Villa. I enjoyed myself there, it’s a great club,” said Stevens, who played several times in the Premier League for Villa, plus has Europa League experience with former sides St Patrick’s Athletic and Shamrock Rovers.

“They gave me my chance, I made my debut under Paul Lambert – I will be grateful for that. But it’s now time to move on. That’s just football, it happens, you just have to get on with it, come in and work hard.

“For me, being at Doncaster will improve me by just playing games.”

Tonight, Rovers return to Weston-super-Mare for their rearranged FA Cup tie.

Stevens was set to make his second bow in the original game only for a waterlogged pitch to force the game to be called off just before kick-off.

“It was disappointing to get all the way down, then for the game to be called off at 2.30pm,” he said. “We expected it to be called off, the way the pitch was, it wasn’t really playable.

“The referee didn’t do himself many favours (by calling it off so late), but he was trying his best to get the game on. We wanted it on, Weston wanted it on.

“The pitch looked good until we walked up to the goalmouth, which was flooded, and the ball wasn’t bouncing, it wasn’t rolling.

“It was disappointing, because I was excited at putting on the Rovers shirt again.

“I just want to play as many games as i can. Paul Dickov just said ‘come in, do what I was doing last season, and I will fit straight in’.

“It was an easy decision to come back, I really enjoyed myself here last year. It was a no-brainer.”

Last time: Never met.

Referee: T Robinson (West Sussex).

Last six games: Weston-Super-Mare LLLWLL; Doncaster WLLDWL.