New claim made on Doncaster Rovers' move to reunite Mallik Wilks with Grant McCann | OneFootball

Rovers aren't immediately looking to reunite with Mallik Wilks following his release from Sheffield Wednesday

Doncaster Rovers are not actively pursuing the services of Mallik Wilks following his recent departure from Sheffield Wednesday.

That is according to the Doncaster Free Press, who also state that last season's League Two champions did entertain the possibility of reuniting with the winger following his exit from Hillsborough after spending last season on loan with South Yorkshire rivals, Rotherham United.

Wilks' career has largely been spent in his native county, and he arguably spent the best years of his career thus far with Rovers boss Grant McCann, initially on loan at the Eco-Power Stadium during the club's run to the League One play-offs, before the Northern Irishman bought the wide man to Hull City, once again on an initial temporary basis, before that particular deal was made permanent in the summer of 2020.

However, as the Leeds-born attacker prepares for his next venture amid suggestions of a potential move across the continent, he will not be returning to Doncaster as they prepare for their first season at third tier level since 2021/22.

Talk over Wilks' immediate future began in mid-April as his contract with the Owls entered its final weeks, as Football Insider revealed that the 26-year-old was on the radar of Konyaspor, Levski Sofia and Aris Limassol of Turkey, Bulgaria and Cyprus respectively.

Former Rotherham boss Steve Evans also spoke of his desire to keep Wilks at the New York Stadium prior to his dismissal and the subsequent appointment of Matt Hamshaw, who gave a mixed response as to whether the scenario would play out in the regular season's final week.

It was then confirmed by Wednesday that the man, who joined from Hull for an undisclosed fee in August 2022, was one of seven players to be released at the season's end, and amid talk surrounding a potential reunion with McCann and Doncaster, for whom he netted 16 goals and registered a further 12 assists in 55 appearances, the Free Press' fresh update has revealed the club's overall stance on the matter.

The report does state that Wilks' name had been mentioned when club figures discussed recruitment plans ahead of the upcoming season given his availability on a free transfer. However, it is understood that Rovers are not actively pushing for a reunion to occur between the three main parties in this saga.

Wilks' most recent spell under McCann came at the MKM Stadium during a two-year period, with the winger a key figure in Hull's 2020/21 title-winning success alongside Josh Magennis and Keane Lewis-Potter, ending his time at the club with 30 goals and 10 assists in 91 games.

However, it has also been made clear by the Belfast-born boss that the Reds are looking to further improve their wide options beyond the quartet of star man Luke Molyneux, Jordan Gibson, Kyle Hurst and Glenn Middleton, who recently arrived from SPFL outfit, Dundee United.

The performances of Doncaster, Port Vale, Bradford City and AFC Wimbledon will no doubt generate plenty of interest post-promotion, and it can't be disputed that Rovers' early transfer business has made a serious impression on onlookers.

Matty Pearson's switch from fellow Yorkshire outfit Huddersfield Town is one of the third-tier's most eye-catching deals thus far, as well as making further shrewd additions who bring varied levels of quality and experience in the form of Brandon Hanlan, Robbie Gotts and former loanee, Thimothee Lo-Tutala, who excelled in DN4 during the second half of the 2023/24 season on loan from Hull.

Therefore, whilst a move for Wilks would have only added to the excitement levels among supporters, McCann has built up enough trust that it shouldn't come as a major blow, with plenty more additions expected in order to aid a season of consolidation.