Doncaster Rovers: McCann keen to keep the reins on Rowe and Coppinger

Both men played 45 minutes in Friday's friendly against Birmingham City and will each be handed a minimum of an hour in games over the next few days.

"It took Tommy a little while to get into the game but he hasn't played for a while," McCann said.

"He's only just trained with the group fully over the last ten days.

"Once he got into it, grew into it, he looked strong towards the end.

"He probably could have played a lot longer but we need to be careful with him.

"And Copps is Copps.

"Some of his play when he comes on, I don't know how he wiggles out of those tight spaces.

"It's great to get them two 45 minutes next week."

Coppinger suffered an ankle injury during Rovers' pre-season training camp in La Manga while Rowe has been recovering from surgery on a problem hamstring late last season,

Rowe is set to be handed 60 minutes during Tuesday night's friendly at Grimsby Town with Coppinger due the same treatment on the trip to Deeping Rangers on Wednesday.

McCann is set to continue with his plan of fielding half his squad in games, as he did in Friday's clash with Birmingham.

Those who did not feature in the friendly held at Solihull Moors will be given 90 minutes against Grimsby, while those that faced Birmingham will be back in action at Deeping on Wednesday.

McCann revealed those not playing in a friendly will still be worked hard on that day.

"Everyone else trained on Friday and there was a tremendous attitude in the session," he said.

"It was excellent that they delivered.

"They worked as hard as the lads did that played so there was no rest for them.

"They'll be good to go on Tuesday, the group that stayed behind added with one or two from this group as well."

Kick off at Grimsby is 7.30pm.