Doncaster Rovers vs Portsmouth - Doncaster striker Mandeville to miss Portsmouth clash

Posted Thursday, January 05, 2017 by PA

Leaders Doncaster are likely to be without striker Liam Mandeville when they take on fellow Sky Bet League Two promotion hopefuls Portsmouth.

The 19-year-old missed the 1-0 win over Stevenage on Monday with a thigh problem and is rated by Rovers boss Darren Ferguson as "very doubtful" for Thursday's match.

Alfie May could make his Doncaster debut after joining from non-league club Hythe Town while goalkeeper Ross Etheridge is available after he was recalled from his loan spell at Alfreton Town.

Gary McSheffrey (groin), Luke McCullough and Aaron Taylor-Sinclair (both knee) remain sidelined.

Portsmouth midfielder Gary Roberts could be back in contention for a place in the starting XI.

Roberts was rested for two matches before coming off the bench in the 1-0 win over Luton on January 2, where Kyle Bennett started ahead of forward Noel Hunt.

Pompey, who are fourth, have lost just once in 10 league games, so manager Paul Cook is not expected to make sweeping changes with Slovakian midfielder Milan Lalkovic and Amine Linganzi options.

Forward Curtis Main remains sidelined with an abdominal problem.