Doncaster Rovers: No rest for Rowe as he aims to be ready for start of season

While his team mates are either abroad or resting up at home, Rowe has spent many hours at Doncaster Rovers’ training ground with only medical staff and a handful of dedicated youth players for company.

The midfielder is busy putting in the hard yards to give himself the best opportunity of being fit for the start of the season.

In April, he reached breaking point with a hamstring problem that had niggled him since Christmas and finally went under the knife.

Being ready for the big kick off on August 4 is touch-and-go for the 29-year-old, which is why a short trip to Dubai last week will be sum total of his time sunning himself this summer.

“It was a short one!” he told The Star.

“It’s been a bit different this year because I was away for the two weeks before the end of the season after my operation.

“I was back towards the end to watch a few games but since then I’ve been training here at Cantley.

“I’ve had that little break away. I think we all need a little break.

“But now I’m back here and getting out on the grass and moving around well.”

Though he probably would have taken the opportunity to jet off for longer had he not been building up strength in his hamstring, Rowe says he would certainly had been taking things a lot easier.

Driving him on was not only a desire to be ready for the start of the season, but simply being able to take part in general fitness work with the rest of the squad when they return for pre-season training on June 25.

“I’d have had more of a rest normally,” Rowe said.

“It’s a long old season. You get towards the back end and it starts to take its toll on your body.

“You need a rest and you need a break mentally, more than the physical side.

“It’s been nice because it’s probably been the first time in about nine years that I’ve not needed such a big rest because although I did play the majority of the games, my season came to an end early.

“I got that break while I was recuperating in my bedroom.

“It’s been strange, not even running around in the off-season. It’s been quite strict.

“It’s been something I’ve had to adjust to but I’m in a position now where I can excited about pre-season starting next Monday.”