Doncaster Rovers search for emergency deal after being hit by loan recall before Sunderland game
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Darren Moore’s first-choice stopper, Josef Bursik, has been recalled from his loan spell by parent club Stoke City.
Stoke City were this week rocked by the news that Southampton loanee Angus Gunn is reportedly set to be missing for around six weeks due to injury. Andrew Davies, Michael O’Neill’s other senior option, had already been ruled out for six to eight weeks.
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Hide AdBursik has been ever-present in the league this season, and made his England U21 debut in a 5-0 win over Albania earlier this week.
Doncaster are now searching for a short-term replacement, though youngster Louis Jones is on stand-by to make his league debut.
In a club statement, the League One side said they were hopeful of strengthening before the game.
It reads: “Rovers are working on securing another goalkeeper on a short-term emergency loan and with the expectation that a the player will be in before Saturday while Louis Jones is ready to step up if required after impressive performances in both the Emirates FA Cup and Papa John’s Trophy.
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Hide Ad“We would like to thank Josef for his contribution to Rovers and wish him the best of luck back at Stoke.”
Sunderland are likely to be without Jordan Willis for the game. Willis delayed an injection in his patella tendon in order to play against MK Dons last week, with Tom Flanagan and Conor McLaughlin on international duty.
Flanagan and McLaughlin are expected to be available on Saturday, while Willis will require a period of around a fortnight’s rest after the injection.
Phil Parkinson should be able to call upon talented youngster Elliot Embleton, after opting to rest him for the 2-1 defeat to MK Dons.
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Hide Ad"Elliot is still a project going forward, really,” Parkinson had explained.
"As you can imagine, he was very stiff and sore after Tuesday night.
"The likelihood is that he won't be involved [against MK Dons], but there's no fresh injury with that. It's just that when you haven't played for over a year, your body is going to take a while to recover.
"But we're very pleased with him, and psychologically to get him through that game was huge.”