Grant McCann hails versatility of Doncaster Rovers' new-look batch of forwards - but adds a caveat

Grant McCann says Doncaster Rovers fans might need to be patient as they wait for it all to click at the top end of the pitch next season.

Rovers have revamped their forward and wing options with Brandon Hanlan the only remaining attacking player who was at the club from the start of the 2025-26 season. Since then the likes of Billy Sharp, Luke Molyneux and Jordan Gibson have moved on with Alfie May, Leon Ayinde and Jordan Thomas among those arriving at Club Doncaster Sports Village.

"Like everything, it takes time. It doesn't just happen," McCann told the Free Press following last weekend's final friendly run-out, a narrow 1-0 loss at home to Lincoln that extended their scoreless streak to three matches.

"The good thing is that Jordan has played with Isaac (Hutchinson) and he's played with Haks (Hakeeb Adelakun), which is pleasing. Leon's obviously fresh into the building. Bayley's (McCann) had a really good pre-season. Brandon scored a few goals early on in pre-season and we'll keep working with him.

"So, there's some good options. And then we've got Frankie (Okoronkwo) who played off the left when he was at Lincoln but he can play in all different sorts of positions. Brandon's the same. All the forwards can. Even Alfie. If we wanted Alfie to play as a ten or off the left, he can. But, we didn't bring him in for that, we brought him in to be a nine."

Rovers' curtain-raiser for the new season comes this Saturday, when they travel to Stockport County in the first round of the Carabao Cup.