Scunthorpe United could be about to test Rovers’ resolve to hold onto David Syers.
The 26-year-old midfielder - out of contract in the summer - has impressed while out on loan at Glanford Park, finding the net three times in 11 appearances.
And the Iron, boosted this week by a pledge of new investment, could be about to launch a January raid for the former Bradford City man.
Syers has scored three in his last four for Scunthorpe to keep them on the coattails of the League Two leaders.
And his marauding runs from midfield have been key to United’s upturn in form under caretaker boss Russ Wilcox,
His loan spell was extended into a third month last week, just a fortnight after injury-hit Rovers asked to recall him but failed due to a loophole in the emergency loan rules.
Doncaster have now inserted a 24-hour recall clause into the loan deal.
But with Richie Wellens, Martin Woods, Dean Furman, Paul Keegan and Mark De Val Fernandez all ahead of him in the pecking order, they will only activate that option in emergency circumstances.
Boss Paul Dickov has previously gone on the record to say Syers does have a future at the Keepmoat Stadium.
But after making 38 appearances last season in League One, he has been limited to just three substitute appearances this term before being farmed out on loan.
And with the possibility of losing Syers for nothing next summer, Rovers are likely to listen to offers for the goal-getting midfielder.
Scunthorpe held their Annual General Meeting this week, at which chairman Peter Swann outlined plans to invest £500,000 in time for a January spending-spree - and a fraction of that money could be enough to tempt Doncaster to do business.
Syers himself would like the opportunity to prove himself in the Championship, a level he has never previously played at.
But with his current Rovers contract entering its final few months, he is likely to be open to moving somewhere he would be almost guaranteed first team football.
In response to the 24-hour recall clause, Wilcox said: “At the moment he is a Doncaster Rovers player, so we have to respect that.”