Doncaster Rovers set to challenge Middlesbrough in Carabao Cup

Doncaster Rovers manager Grant McCann has challenged his players to ‘make a real statement’ when they host Middlesbrough in the second round of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night. The League One club have made a mixed start to the new season after a penalty shootout win in their first round tie with Stockport County was followed by collecting just one point from the first two games of the league campaign as they followed up a defeat at Mansfield Town with a home draw against Barnsley at the weekend.

All focus is now on Wednesday night’s cup clash as Rovers look to replicate their shock 4-0 win against Boro in the first round of last season’s Carabao Cup and make the most of an eye-catching run of home games. McCann described the tie as ‘another good test’ for his players and urged them to make life difficult for Kim Hellberg and his players. He told the club website: “Three of the next four games are at home, and we want to make a real statement there. I said to the boys before the game, ‘we have to make it difficult for anybody that comes here’, and we certainly did that. After the players have rested up, we will be back in to focus on Middlesbrough. James Coppinger was at their game (against Blackburn Rovers), so we will get a report from him. It is another good test for us, and we will be looking forward to it when it comes along.”

Doncaster Rovers sent out a real statement of intent when they brought Alfie May back to the club on a season-long loan deal from Huddersfield Town. When Doncaster Rovers confirmed the loan signing of Alfie May this summer for the second time it was fair to say that they got a very different version to the one they originally signed for the first time back in 2017. Then fresh out of non-league after spells across the country at clubs like Erith & Belvedere, Billericay Town, Farnborough and Hythe Town, May was very much a diamond in the rough.

He took time to adapt to the demands of the Football League and was very much a squad player under Darren Ferguson and later Grant McCann before leaving during Darren Moore’s time at the club. This was reflected in May’s fairly modest goal tally of 23 across 117 games, with only 10 of those strikes coming in the league before his departure to Cheltenham Town in 2020. McCann first worked with May in his maiden spell at Rovers in 2018-19 and recalled that he was someone who had a lot to learn and a ‘little bit of a potbelly’ - was said in an endearing way. In truth, McCann didn’t quite see the full potential of May but there’s no doubt he, along with the other Rovers coaches of the time, played a role in harnessing the potential of a striker, whose numbers were about to explode.

In the years that followed his exit from DN4, May showed his goalscoring prowess, scoring 67 times in 165 matches for Cheltenham, including 22 in his final season - almost as many as he managed in the entirety of his three and half years in South Yorkshire. May was equally prolific at Charlton Athletic, scoring 27 in during his single season in the capital, before helping fire Birmingham City to the title in 2024/25 with 17 goals across all competitions as he formed an excellent partnership with Jay Stansfield. Now aged 33, May is considered one of the best goalscorers in the division despite a slightly subdued campaign with Huddersfield last term where he only netted seven across all competitions. Speaking about the differences between the younger and more experienced version of May, McCann told the Free Press: “He’s grown into a real leader. He’s definitely more professional, he’s in much better condition. If you look at him now he’s in tremendous shape. As you get older in life and particularly in football you r.”

Three sides, including Doncaster Rovers and Wigan Athletic, are preparing to battle to sign Wrexham midfielder Harry Ashfield. The 20-year-old has been viewed as a star for the future in North Wales, and after three cameo appearances for the Red Dragons, he was finally allowed to head out on loan for the first time to join League Two club Cheltenham Town.

Ashfield’s future at the Racecourse has now been cast into doubt, with Football League World reporting that Wrexham could allow him to leave on a permanent basis, depending on what offers they receive. Three suitors for the midfielder have already emerged in the form of Doncaster Rovers and Wigan Athletic from League One, while another spell in League Two could be on cards, with pre-season favourites Salford City also keen. Rovers Eye Ashfield Move.

Ashfield played 17 times at Whaddon Road last season, playing a key part in Steve Cotterill’s rebuild which saw them finish 18th, 13 points above relegated Harrogate Town. During his stint in Gloucestershire, he proved to be shrewd loan acquisition and was ranked one of the best midfielders in the fourth tier for touches taken, interceptions and successful passes per 90. Wigan have taken several steps to strengthen their midfield, with Max Power brought back and handed the captain’s armband, and they sourced two promising midfielders on loan Luke Harris and Reggie Walsh. Doncaster meanwhile made an early window swoop for Bristol Rovers want Isaac Hutchinson, who is their only midfield signing of the summer. However, McCann’s side has been linked with other options ahead of the deadline in less than two weeks, with reports stating they are keen on recruiting Kian Leavy.

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Doncaster Rovers currently sit 14th in League One with 50 points from 46 games. They have scored 50 goals while conceding 69 this season, sitting 43 points behind the leaders.