Darren Moore explains Doncaster Rovers team selection against Northampton Town

The veteran centre half was handed his first league appearance of the season in reshuffled line-up for the trip to Sixfields, which also saw Joe Wright deployed at right back and Brad Halliday move into an attacking midfield role.

“I thought it was the right type of game for Butts to come in, in terms of needing his leadership qualities,” Moore said.

“I think Joe Wright and Tom Anderson, I’ll certainly get them to look at the video because I think Butts’ experience, his know-how, his handling of the game and the way he marshalled everyone around was absolutely spot on.

“While I don’t like to single out individuals, I thought he was excellent and it was an accomplished performance by him.

“I thought he led by example.”

Wright featured at right back against Lincoln City earlier in the season and Moore admitted he was looking to counter Northampton’s physicality and directness.

And he was confident Halliday at the attributes to be shunted higher up the pitch.

“We knew that we had to be strong,” he said.

“Playing Joe there, it was the right time and it shows the versatility of the squad, with people playing in different positions and sticking to the game plan.

“The squad needs that and we’ll certainly need it through the rest of December.

“When I feel it’s right I’ll certainly do that.

“Brad was further up the pitch.

“You’ve seen me do it with Reece James on the other side and both of those are well equipped to handle that.”

Halliday was withdrawn at half time along with Cameron John with Rovers in command.

Moore said: “I took Brad off because he’d been booked and it was a funny type of game at that point.

“I took him off so as to not risk anyone falling into danger.

“The last thing I need is anyone getting sent off willy-nilly.

“Cam came off because I just wanted to dominate the ball more from a deeper position and draw them out a little bit more.

“Both players, are fine, both players are fit and well and both did not want to come off as you can imagine.”

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