Paul Dickov is refusing to accept fatigue as a reason for Rovers’ lacklustre performance against Bournemouth last weekend.
Rovers’ senior players have been given a three-day rest period due to the international break.
But this has followed another intense week on the training ground with the coaching staff refusing to ease up the hard work.
Top of Dickov’s agenda is bringing recent additions to the squad up to the same level of fitness as last season’s players.
“The one thing I’m not going to talk about at this stage is tiredness,” Dickov said.
“It’s early season – that cannot be a factor.
“But we’ve got a group of players who didn’t have a pre-season with us.
“Ross Turnbull, Richie Wellens, Reece Wabara, Theo Robinson, Bongali Khumalo – these lads aren’t up to the same level as the others because they weren’t here.
“To their credit, every one has come in and hit the ground running.
“Looking back to last weekend, perhaps it was that the enthusiasm and energy from the first few games caught up with them.
“On reflection, this international break has come at the right time for us. It gives the new lads the opportunity to catch up with the rest.”
The development squad game at home to Hull City on Tuesday (2pm) has been switched from Cantley Park to the Keepmoat.