Hakeeb Adelakun is aiming to become a key figure for Doncaster Rovers after a quiet start to his second spell at the club. The 30-year-old winger, re-signed by manager Grant McCann in January, has featured for only 19 minutes so far this season, coming off the bench in the 3-1 home defeat to Huddersfield Town.
Adelakun was a popular figure during his first stint at the Keepmoat Stadium, helping the team climb from relegation trouble to play-off contention in the 2023/24 campaign. McCann, who worked with him previously at Hull City, brought him back to add experience and creativity to the forward line. The pair have stayed in touch since their time together in East Yorkshire.
Season context reveals challenges
Doncaster's current position adds urgency to the need for contributions across the squad. The team sits 21st in League One with six points from seven games, having won just once in their last five outings. Their most recent result was a 2-0 win at Peterborough, but that followed a run of three consecutive defeats.
This difficult start means McCann is searching for solutions, and Adelakun's opportunity may arise.
Adelakun's career has often been about finding the right environment to thrive. McCann is seen as a manager who understands his qualities and can extract consistent performances from him. The next test comes quickly, with Doncaster hosting eighth-placed Burton Albion at the Keepmoat Stadium on Saturday, 10 October.
The original report is at The72 - Football League News
