Grant McCann to keep Doncaster Rovers players calm despite being on brink of League Two promotion

Grant McCann admitted the task ahead for him is to keep his players calm after Doncaster put themselves within touching distance of promotion with a 3-0 win over Colchester.

Goals from Harry Clifton, Jordan Gibson and Patrick Kelly saw Rovers power into top spot in League Two.

It means a victory over promotion rivals Bradford this weekend will see them promoted to League One but McCann is determined such status has no impact on the preparation of his team.

“There’s no point in hiding it – everyone knows what happens if we win on Saturday,” he said. “But it’s my job to keep the lads calm, ready and focused on what we need to do.

“It’s just onto the next one for us, and that’s Bradford on Saturday. We’ve not felt any pressure because we’ve always tried to stick to focusing on the next game and that is what we’ll do again for this weekend.

“We’ve got to get some rest into the boys, some good work and most importantly make sure we get the game plan right. I watched Bradford last week and they’re a very good team.

“It’s going to be a tough test and we’ve got to make sure we stand up to that.

“Hopefully we’ve peaked at the right time. Over this Easter period we’ve been good. Two clean sheets, six goals, against two form teams – I’m really pleased.”

Colchester manager Danny Cowley was left counting the cost of a difficult afternoon with Jamie McDonnell joining his lengthy injury list along with Owura Edwards’ suspension after being sent off for two bookable offences.

But as Colchester look to claw their way back into a play-off place, Cowley insists they will not give up the fight.

Danny Cowley

“For us, I thought a lot went against us,” he said. “We’re running out of players, which is the truth.

“We played really well for a long period against a team that is now top of this division. We had really good control from it going to 2-0 through to when Owura was sent off.

“Jamie McDonnell was carrying an ankle injury from Friday’s game but he thought he was going to be all right because he’s as tough as it comes.

“Over the weekend, losing Lyle Taylor and Jack Payne, two players in the same position, it makes it tough.

“We’ve still found ways of winning without key players. It’s not a time to feel sorry for ourselves, it’s time for us to dig deep.

“We’re going to give it a right go. It’s taken a huge effort to get us to here and we’ll dust ourselves down to respond in a really positive way.”