Grant McCann says Doncaster Rovers are building something for the future, but the here and now is the concern at Peterborough United on Saturday.

Republic of Ireland under-21 call-ups for Leon Ayinde and Sean Grehan are a sign the future is in good hands, but nine games into the campaign, Rovers ae still looking for their first win.

"We feel like they have got a massive part to play in this football club for years to come," commented a proud McCann, who had one spell playing for and two managing Posh.

"There's other young players here that we feel have got massive potential to really make this club a club that develops players.

EYE ION THE FUTURE: Doncaster Rovers manager Grant McCann (Image: Jonathan Gawthorpe)

placeholder image — EYE ION THE FUTURE: Doncaster Rovers manager Grant McCann (Image: Jonathan Gawthorpe)

"You want to be in a position where you're sustainable and if one of these players goes for a few million quid it saves me knocking on Gavin (Baldwin, chief executive) and Terry (Bramall, chairman)'s doors every week asking for a little bit more.

"That's the type of football club we want to try and be.

"I think we're starting to see that.

"It's important to have some older and experienced players around that because it's impossible, I feel, to do it with just a bunch of young, inexperienced players.

INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION: Sean Grehan of Doncaster Rovers (Image: Pete Norton/Getty Images)

"You have to have the right balance because that brings the younger players on quicker, I feel."

Much as football clubs should try to look after the future, they cannot ignore the present. McCann is confident the improvements his team needs are not major.

"Football's about being ruthless in both boxes – defending you goal well and taking your opportunities when they come," he argued.

"I feel like we're playing some good football, we're creating a lot of opportunities. I'd be a lot more worried if we'd gone to Wimbledon and had two shots (they had 22).

"Over the last five games we've had a lot of opportunities to score more than we did. We're just looking for that ice-cool demeanour."

Defender Matty Pearson has been ruled out for ten to 12 weeks with a hamstring tear, and Harry Clifton has had a double hernia operation, though it is not expected to keep him out beyond the weekend.

Tom Nixon is back in training but fellow full-back Jamie Sterry is unlikely to be risked.