Doncaster Rovers land ace Paul Quinn
Experienced: Paul Quinn played 20 games in the Championship last season and knows his position, says manager Dean Saunders. PICTURE: steve taylor
DONCASTER Rovers’ boss Dean Saunders has boosted his depleted defensive resources by signing right-back Paul Quinn.
The former Cardiff City defender, who played in two of the club’s pre-season games, initially rejected Rovers’ terms, but Saunders is thought to have increased his offer.
Saunders said: “He played 20 games in the Championship last season and he’s an experienced player who knows his position.
“Obviously we’ve lost Jimmy (O’Connor) and we had no other right-back, so he fills that gap and he can also play centre-half at a plus.”
Saunders is still looking to bring in another four or five players.
He is resigned to going into Saturday’s Capital One Cup game against York City without a full squad and admits that his team-building plans look set to go into next week.
“Ideally you would like six weeks to work with your full squad, but I’d take two days now,” said the Welshman.
Saunders has had forwards Karl Hawley and Amari Morgan-Smith on trial for some time and midfielder James Harper has played in the last two.
They were joined in Tuesday’s 4-0 defeat at Gainsborough Trinity by Eddie Nolan, released by Scunthorpe at the end of last season, and fellow defender Callum Bennett, who is a free agent after rejecting Ipswich Town’s one-year deal.
“It was has hard for them playing with so many kids in the side,” said Saunders. “It wasn’t fair on them but they came up and had a go.”
Saunders also brought on two French-based African-born players, Bedsente Gomis and Babacai Diame, who had turned out for the Youth team at Denaby on Monday, midway through the second half.
“I was asked if I’d take a look at them,” said Saunders. “They looked like good athletes and physically strong, but it was also hard on them.
“I knew what sort of game it was going to be. They were physically stronger than us. It was like men against boys.
“The only plus points was that Paul Keegan, who missed the Barnsley game, got another 90 minutes under his belt, as did Robbie Blake.
“Robbie hadn’t played for a year (at Bolton) and he needs to get fit. When he does he’ll be head and shoulders above everybody.
“He’s doing extra sessions with fitness coach Mal Purchase. He trained on the morning of the Gainsborough game and he was also in yesterday.”
Fears that recent signing Rob Jones could miss the York game after limping off in last Saturday’s game against Barnsley, have been allayed: “It wasn’t a hamstring injury; it was just a spasm,” said Saunders.
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Friday 24 May 2013
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