The Owls and Rovers go head-to-head in a South Yorkshire derby this weekend

Doncaster Rovers manager Grant McCann says his analysis of Sheffield Wednesday will not just focus on their disappointing defeat at Notts County.

The Owls were second best at Meadow Lane on Tuesday night, slumping to a 2-0 loss. Even before they were reduced to 10-men early in the second-half, they were not at the races. With Wednesday having won 5-0 at home to AFC Wimbledon on Saturday, and with Notts having only won once all season, it was a desperately poor evening for Henrik Pedersen’s side.

But McCann won’t be just focusing on how Wednesday were beaten by County when he prepares his game-plan for this weekend’s South Yorkshire derby.

When asked if he expects Wednesday to come roaring back, McCann said: “That's not probably a way I'd look at a game, I'd look at probably the two or three games and we'd study them. We'd have scouts at the games, we'd try and come up with a plan to navigate what they're about but most importantly how can we go and hurt them and that's what we'll do for this game like we do for every game.”

McCann, who won the League Two title with Rovers in 2025 before guiding them to a 14th-placed finish last season, was complimentary about Wednesday ahead of the fixture. With a big crowd expected, he pinpointed one particular aspect his team needs to get right.

“I think they are a team that probably shouldn't be at this level, let's be honest,” he continued. “They are a massive football club that have had good recruitment in the summer with some really good young players coming into the football club, whether on loan or signing permanently.

“They are a team that obviously came down from the Championship last year. It's a Yorkshire derby, I think we've been pretty good over the years since I've been here in terms of them and we want to make this one the same. I think the most important thing in these derby games is making sure you keep your emotions in check. I think over the years, all the games that we've played in derby games, we've been pretty consistent and good in them so hopefully we can do it again.”

The injury-ravaged Rovers, who have lost their last two and sit 19th in the table, could welcome back some from the treatment room for a match they are excited about.

McCann added: “I think any derby game, there's always one you look forward to and no doubt our fans will be really looking forward to it. All we want to do is try and please them with three points, that's the main remit really.”