Doncaster Rovers manager Grant McCann has highlighted the volume of fresh faces in his forward line while urging supporters to be patient as the new-look attack looks to click ahead of the 2026-27 season.
Lots of new options at the top end
Pre-season has seen a clear overhaul of Rovers’ offensive personnel. Only Brandon Hanlan remains from the group who began the 2025-26 campaign at the club. Several established names have departed and others have been recruited to provide different profiles and competition across the front line.
McCann flagged the positives in terms of versatility and familiarity among some players, while stressing that combinations need time on the training pitch and in matches before they become consistent.
"Like everything, it takes time. It doesn't just happen,"
Who’s in and who’s out
The summer window has brought change at Club Doncaster Sports Village. New arrivals include forwards and wide players intended to give the manager tactical flexibility.
| Arrivals | Departures |
|---|---|
| Alfie May | Billy Sharp |
| Leon Ayinde | Luke Molyneux |
| Jordan Thomas | Jordan Gibson |
| Frankie Okoronkwo |
Hanlan impressed in early pre-season, McCann said, and other forwards such as Frankie Okoronkwo bring positional flexibility. The manager pointed out that some players have already worked together before, which could aid quicker understanding on the pitch.
Practicalities and next steps
Rovers finished their friendly programme with a narrow 1-0 defeat to Lincoln, extending a brief scoreless run in those fixtures. The first competitive test comes this Saturday when Doncaster travel to Stockport County for a Carabao Cup first-round tie.
- Manager wants time for combinations to settle
- Versatile forwards give tactical options across the front three
- Early pre-season form saw Hanlan finding the net
McCann stressed that recruits are capable of occupying multiple attacking roles. He said one signing was expected to lead the line as a number nine, while others could be deployed off the left or in support positions depending on match plans.
Supporters will be keen to see how quickly links form between the new recruits and the retained squad, particularly in competitive fixtures. The Carabao Cup trip to Stockport offers the first chance for those partnerships to be tested under pressure.
For local supporters planning to attend, kick-off details and travel information are available through the club’s official channels. Expect early selection clues from McCann in the build-up to Saturday’s match as he balances integration with the need for positive results.
