Source: Team_Talk
McDonald asks fans for patience
So far boss Sam Allardyce has brought in midfielders Steven Nzonzi and Elrio van Heerden, defender Lars Jacobsen while academy striker David Hoilett - who has spent the last two years on loan in Germany - was given a run-out against Leeds last weekend.
Further additions are anticipated and a striker remains a priority, with the club hopeful of agreeing a season-long loan deal for Chelsea's Argentinian forward Franco di Santo while also bringing in someone else permanently.
But McDonald, who oversaw the weekend draw at Leeds with Allardyce absent on a scouting trip, is happy with the way the first-team group are knitting together.
"The new boys have come in and integrated with the squad really well," he said.
"They have shown a few glimpses of what they are really about and they have to make sure when they get their chance they are ready to take it and ready to battle for this club.
"We have a good mixture of senior professionals and young players and if we can get the right blend around them then we have got the winning formula.
"It is important not to expect too much from the new boys though. It is still going to be early, when foreign players come in it takes them a while to settle in - especially in the Premier League, because it is very harsh.
"Lets see how they do over the next two or three weeks and then we will have more of an idea whether they are going to start or be support players."
McDonald is confident Rovers will start the new season in a better position than they ended the last one, successfully staving off relegation to finish 15th.
Having sold strikers Roque Santa Cruz and Matt Derbyshire and seen midfielder Aaron Mokoena join Portsmouth, Allardyce has tried to freshen up the squad.
If he can find the necessary recruits up front McDonald believes they will be well equipped.
"There is good competition for places," he told the Lancashire Telegraph.
"It is a healthy position to be in and if we can add one or two then competition is on."
