With Dean Furman away on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations with South Africa until the end of the month at the earliest, Paul Goodwin looks at the candidates competing to replace him in Doncaster’s line-up:
Kyle Bennett
Seems the most likely replacement, given his impressive form prior to his injury over Christmas.
Bennett can slot straight into that role behind a lone frontman, a position in which Furman has excelled.
His new-found appetite for hard work could also mimic Furman’s high pressing, although he does not possess the engine or defensive awareness of the South African midfielder.
Paul Dickov might also be reluctant to select Bennett in the same side as James Coppinger and Harry Forrester. When he tried it earlier in the season - in a 4-2-3-1 formation - Rovers struggled and it looked like one luxury player too many.
Nathan Tyson
Dickov has said his preference is to play two strikers and Furman’s absence could tempt him to recall either Tyson or Main, although he will be reluctant to change the 4-1-4-1 shape that has worked so well in recent weeks.
Tyson’s ability to cover more ground and willingness to close down defenders probably gives him the edge over the out-of-sorts Main, but the fact that his partnership with Theo Robinson failed to click earlier in the season counts against him.
Curtis Main
Out of favour and out of form.
The former Middlesbrough man has the talent but he needs to show more desire to do the ugly things to force his way back into Dickov’s plans.
Harry Middleton
Given De Val’s absence from the squad last weekend, the academy prospect appears to have jumped ahead of the Spaniard in the queue.
Dickov, though, will be reluctant to ask too much too soon of the youngster.
Middleton, given his age, should possess similar energy levels to Furman but asking him to harry and press is not really his game, he’s more of a cultured, ball-playing midfield-type.
Marc De Val
Doncaster’s mystery man.
He really looked the part earlier in the season before inexplicably losing his place and then blotting his copybook at Peterborough with his reckless tackling and angry reaction to being substituted.
Dickov appears to have ran out of patience with him and it would be a big surprise if he was given the nod.