Rovers face tough test

O'Driscoll took advantage of the fact that Rovers played on Sunday last weekend, to take a look at the Shrimpers in action at Oldham on Saturday.

He came away from Boundary Park impressed by what he had seen following their 1-0 win over the lowly Latics.

"They are an ex-Championship side and have some quality players," he said. "They won away from home and despite going down to ten men just before the break, they were quite comfortable.

"They went up to the Championship the season before last, which is a big jump, but they have come back down and the players look more comfortable at this level.

"They are going to be hard to beat and I definately think that they will be one of the teams up there at the end of the season."

Fears during the game that Ritchie Wellens, the Supporters' Club player of the month for August, could be a doubt for the trip to Roots Hall after suffering a knock to his foot in Sunday's win over Crewe, have been allayed and he has trained for the last two days.

Midfielder Brian Stock has been "nursed" so far this week after suffering some reaction to the game.

"We brought Stocky back early from his hernia operation and the groin area swells up for a couple of days after games," said O'Driscoll.

"It is getting better but because we are playing him it is just going to take a bit longer. He should be okay for Saturday."

James Coppinger, an unused substitute on Sunday, is again unlikely to feature in the starting line-up at Roots Hall after suffering some reaction in training.

Jason Price got his first taste of competitive action for over five months when coming on as an 85th minute substitute against Crewe, but will definately not start.

"Fitness-wise he is still way off as anybody with half a brain could see on Sunday," said the Doncaster boss.

No decision on either striker Mark McCammon or midfielder Martin Woods will be made until later in the week.

Both men missed the Crewe game with hamstring problems and continue to have treatment.

Southend defender Garry Richards is set to line up against Rovers despite being sent off at Boundary Park.

Following an appeal to the FA, the disciplinary committee reviewed the incident and decided to overrule referee Trevor Kettle and rescind the red card which would have ruled the centre-back out of the club's next three games.