Source: FOOTYMAD
Rovers boss Sean O'Driscoll hoping to extend loan of Joseph Mills
Doncaster Rovers are hoping to retain the services of on-loan left-back Joseph Mills. Rovers' boss Sean O'Driscoll has been impressed by the 21 year-old Southampton defender, who joined the club on loan last month, and plans to sound out his Saints counterpart Nigel Adkins."If there is an opportunity to keep him here a bit longer, we'll try and do it. But he's Southampton's player and it depends on what they want to do."George Friend is still not fit so if Southampton recall Joe then we'd have to get another left-back in so it makes sense if we could extend the loan."Mills says that he would be happy to stay on at the Championship club."It is not up to me; it is up to the two managers," he said. "I'm just waiting to see what happens. If the manager at Southampton is happy to let me stay here, and I'm still playing, I'd like to stay on."At my age, and at this stage of my career, I need to be playing competitive football and Doncaster are offering that and I am really happy here."Although Mills is keen to establish himself in the Southampton first-team squad, he admits that Dan Harding is playing well at left-back this season."I said to the manager when he first took over that I'd like to be playing first-team football and he took that on board and I'm pleased he's been able to let me out on loan," "I'd been here less than 24 hours when I played my first game for the club against Derby County, which wasn't the ideal preparation, but I relish a challenge and I like playing in the Championship."All the lads and staff made me very welcome and that helped me settle in and as I've played more games I'm starting to play my football."I started as a striker and also played on the wing. There is more glory playing up front but with Doncaster's style of football the full-backs get up the field quite a bit any how."But obviously being a left-back my defensive duties are massive and you've got to make sure that you connect with the other three defenders and make sure that you are locked up (as a unit) when you need to be."Rovers haven't had a settled back-four during Mills' time at the club, but he says its not been a problem. "It comes with the territory when you are a footballer," he said. "You know that things can change due to injuries and suspensions and you've got to prepare yourself for that. Whoever I play with in the back-four doesn't really matter as I've got to know all the guys and their games."
