Hakeeb Adelakun and Frankie Okoronkwo will be able to play for Doncaster Rovers in the FA Cup on Saturday despite having already turned out in the competition for other teams – as long as the Yorkshire weather allows.

Adelakun, Okoronkwo and Darren Robinson are Doncaster’s three signings so far in this transfer window with more in their sights. All three could be introduced at home to Southampton at the weekend – or in Adelakun's case, reintroduced, having had a loan spell in 2024.

Adelakun and Okoronkwo have already played in this season's competitions for Cheltenham Town and Lincoln City respectively, but a change to the rules for 2025-26, means they are not cup-tied, adding to the importance of Saturday's match and Tuesday's Football League Trophy game against Fleetwood Town, where McCann will look to integrate them.

"These two games really are to get everybody in and understand how we play, what we're all about,” said McCann.

"I had chats with all the units this morning – all the defenders, the midfielders, the forwards, just to show them how important they are, from now to the end of the season, every single game."

Midfielder Robinson played behind closed doors when Saturday's game at home to Luton Town was called off because of a frozen pitch and impressed his new manager.

"It was almost a team that was going to start against Luton against the rest of the lads," said McCann. "He was getting about people like he wants their shirt and I like everything about him. He's aggressive, he can handle the ball, he's got a great attitude.

"There's a real captain, I can see why Northern Ireland made him captain of their under-21s. He's got that type of character about him and I think he will, for sure, keep people honest in that position."

RETUNRING HERO: Hakeeb Adelakun (Image: Heather King Photography)

placeholder image — RETUNRING HERO: Hakeeb Adelakun (Image: Heather King Photography)

The big snag could be the South Yorkshire weather.

"We trained on the stadium pitch on Wednesday – on half of it, anyway – and it was a little bit hard, but it was trainable," said McCann.

"On Thursday we left it and trained on the 4G at the stadium.

"I know the groundsmen are trying everything they can. It's hard to predict the weather over the next couple of days but I believe there's snow and stuff like that forecast.

FIRST IMPRESSION: Northern Ireland Under-21 international Darren Robinson (Image: Heather King Photography, courtesy of Doncaster Rovers)

"I don't think anyone wants the backlog of games, particularly now that rugby has started as well on our pitch. So, we would love the game on. We'll try everything we can."

With George Broadbent fit again, Doncaster's only injury is to Ben Close, who has a collapsed lung which is set to keep him out for six to seven weeks.