Saunders' resources tested
Doncaster are short on strikers as they face Colchester.
Dean Saunders' side are looking to take advantage of Sheffield United and Tranmere's FA Cup exploits with a third win in four but could be without attacking trio Billy Paynter, Chris Brown and Robbie Blake.
Paynter is definitely out as he starts a three-match ban after being dismissed late-on in the 2-2 draw with the Blades on New Year's Day while Brown and Blake are both struggling through injury.
Iain Hume is set to lead the line on his own while 19-year-old Jordan Ball is looking for a second Football League appearance.
Elsewhere midfielder Martin Woods is hoping to make his return from the thigh injury that has kept him out since November.
Dominic Samuel is set to make his debut for out-of-form Colchester.
Striker Samuel arrived on an initial one-month loan deal from Reading on Thursday and goes straight into a U's squad which has lost its last seven successive matches and 10 of their previous 11.
But the U's have been dealt a couple of blows as they prepare to face a Rovers side just three points off top spot in League One.
Left-back Dan Potts has seen his loan spell cut short after he was recalled by parent club West Ham.
Defender Josh Thompson has also been told he is suspended for the clash at the Keepmoat Stadium following a mix up over paperwork.
Thompson was sent off on Boxing Day before turning his loan into a permanent move on January 1, however the deal was not rubber stamped in time for the New Year's Day defeat at Crawley and despite sitting out, his ban now applies to the fixture against Rovers.
Source: PA
