Doncaster Rovers: Ferguson's message to players ahead of Wigan test

Sat eight points adrift of safety with just five games left, part of Darren Ferguson's job this week has been to convince his players that their survival bid is not yet over.

And he has told them if they beat League One leaders Wigan Athletic at the Keepmoat Stadium tomorrow, then anything is still possible.

“Games like the one we’ve got on Saturday can actually be the one that changes it all around,” Ferguson said yesterday.

“We’ve not won in 16 [league] games and we could win the last five and it might not be enough.

“But what we’ve got to do is focus on the one in front of us.

“In a way, playing against the team top of the league - that is the best team in the league, there’s no question about that - the job is a lot simpler for me in terms of asking the players to have the belief for the rest of the season.

“A lot of people will think we’re down and out and, looking at the league table, maybe quite rightly. But I can’t think like that.

“I’m only thinking about the best case scenario and that would be winning the game on Saturday and the confidence and the belief that would give the players - and then you’ve got a game straight after it, which would be a good thing.

“And then all of a sudden you just never know, but we’ve just got to be focused on beating a very good team on Saturday.”

Remi Matthews is available for selection after training all week despite being forced off at Bury with an eye injury.

Riccardo Calder is in line to return to full training today and could be back in the squad.