ROVERS ON SONG FOR SEASON

Steve Wignall's men took on Huddersfield last week and lost 1-0, but they battled out a 1-1 draw with Chesterfield on Tuesday, Ian Duerden scoring Doncaster's equaliser.

Now they will be hoping to continue their good form in Scotland, with St Mirren the hosts today, and Motherwell hosting Doncaster on Saturday.

Manager Steve Wignall told the Free Press: "Both games gave myself and Alan

a good chance to see the squad in action and see what everyone can do.

"We've been encouraged by the way the team as a whole has responded. Certainly the performance against Chesterfield was great - it was a severe test, and we coped well.

"It was a real test against the full side. The whole Chesterfield squad is very useful, and I'm sure they will be challenging for promotion, so for us to get a draw is very pleasing.

"Carl Alford and Jimmy Kelly have both looked very good - in fact against

Chesterfield I took Carl off for a while because he was too much of a problem for them and it was winding them up!

"Carl's a real handful now. He's getting fitter and fitter, and is looking pretty sharp.

"We're taking the full squad to Scotland. Touch wood we don't have any injuries. Colin Hawkins didn't play against Chesterfield because he had an infection, but it's nothing serious and he may well play in Scotland."

Wignall has brought in 31-year-old goalkeeper Trevor Wood, who has been

impressing in the pre-season friendlies. Wood was a colleague of Hawkins at St Patricks, but has experience at Walsall, Port Vale and Brighton.

Triallist 'keeper Paul Binder, 18, was released this week, but Former Halifax player Chris Newton and Manchester United centre back Jed Gass are still with the team, hoping to secure a contract.

Wignall has spoken to a couple of un-named players this week, but no immediate signings are planned.

"Things are hotting up now because a lot of players are finding themselves without clubs and are putting themselves about," he added. "But we won't be signing people for the sake of it."

The first public friendly fixture is against Mansfield Town next Saturday, July 29, and Wignall said: "The private games have been my first chance to see what the lads can do, but I feel confident we will be ready to put on a good show for the first public game."

* Next season's away kit will now not be yellow. It will be white with red collars, cuffs and piping.