Doncaster Rovers can avoid emergency transfer hunt after Jamie Sterry injury news | OneFootball

Despite an injury to one of Doncaster Rovers' key players, Owen Bailey has provided a slick replacement.

Despite an injury to one of Doncaster Rovers' key players, Owen Bailey has provided a slick replacement.

Right-back Jamie Sterry was hauled off during the South Yorkshire outfit's opening day victory against Exeter City, as they marked their return to Sky Bet League One in successful fashion.

The 29-year-old fractured both his cheekbone and eye socket, with an issue also in his jaw, as McCann revealed to the local Doncaster Free Press newspaper.

That could have been a huge problem for the third tier new boys, but Bailey has helped ease the pressure and meant there's no emergency dip into the transfer market at this late stage of the window.

Jamie Sterry injury causes major loss for Doncaster Rovers

Sterry has become an ever-present at Doncaster, having played 47 times in all competitions across the title-winning campaign in 2024/25.

He has now entered his third term for Rovers, and, despite an unplanned bump in the road, will remain a key player for McCann in the seasons to come.

There is no doubting Sterry's ability, both defensively and in the attacking department. He notched nine goal involvements last term, and struck up a dangerous partnership with talisman Luke Molyneux down the right flank.

Doncaster will surely feel no need to dip into the transfer market before the end of August, with Sterry only likely to be out for weeks as opposed to months. That was noted by the Doncaster Free Press in their aforementioned report on his injury.

It also helps that Rovers have a replacement that has already proven to be a dab hand at right-back, their reliable skipper Bailey.

Owen Bailey provides the answer for Grant McCann

Bailey, who has assumed the role as Doncaster captain this summer after the departures of old heads Tom Anderson and Richard Wood, slotted into right-back when Sterry was forced off against Exeter.

He powered forward, joining attacks, and inverting towards his more common-place central midfield position as Rovers ran the Grecians ragged at times. But, that is not to downplay how solid and inpeachable he looked on the defensive end too.

That same energy was translated into the second game of the term, as Bailey started at full-back. He was the hero on the day, netting a brace to sink Nigel Clough's Mansfield Town in dramatic fashion.

He got the comeback up and running with a diving header from a Molyneux cross, before stabbing the ball in from close range deep into stoppage time to send a packed away end into wild celebrations.

Though the 26-year-old impressed in the technical side of the game, his ability to play almost everywhere was again noted as McCann shuffled his pack in the latter stages against the Stags.

Bailey has taken to right-back like a duck to water, helping McCann seamlessly plug the hole left by the injured Sterry.

Any panic buttons that may have been pressed when Rovers' formidable right-back picked up an injury were quickly calmed by Bailey's prowess.

The Geordie truly is Doncaster's Mr. Reliable. He lined up in the heart of defence when needed, playing his part in the run-in as the club surged up the League Two table with a winning run timed to perfection.

First heading to South Yorkshire as a defensive midfielder, he is now well suited to playing in a more forwarding-thinking role as well. He is versatile and adaptable, a man for a crisis.

Bailey's ability to do whatever job is needed of him, this time in place of Sterry, will stand Doncaster is good stead for a season where they are already impressing a few doubters.