:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65982485/1165909806.jpg.0.jpg)
Kieran Sadlier
19/20 Games/Goals: 22/9
Signed last January by former boss Grant McCann, the English born Irish midfielder is having an outstanding season and have blossomed under new boss Darren Moore, and comes into the game on the back of an impressive brace on Boxing Day.
Starting off as a trainee at West Ham United, Sadlier had to find his way back to the English leagues via the League of Ireland, where he won the League and the FAI cup. He also appeared for St. Mirren and Sligo Rovers, but it was his performances at Cork that saw him attract interest from plenty League One clubs.
He has six goals from midfield already this season and is in his prime at 25. With an often sluggish midfield, Sunderland will have to be wary of Sadlier.
Reece James
19/20 Games/Goals: 21/1
Reece James has proven to be a shrewd signing by Moore and is one the first names on the Rovers team-sheet.
Recently handed corner taking duties, Doncaster have scored from James-delivered corners in two their last three fixtures, justifying the decision to hand him the responsibility in recent weeks and showing James perhaps has more in his locker than we saw at the Stadium of Light. A dependable left-back for us last season, he’ll be keen to show his former club just what they are missing.
James Coppinger
19/20 Games/Goals: 20/3
The Doncaster Rovers legend is living proof that age is simply a number, and at 38 years of age he is showing there’s no substitute for experience.
Coppinger made his professional debut at Newcastle United under Sir Bobby Robson in 2000, but after struggling to break into the first team at St. James Park he joined Exeter, where he played for two years, before moving to Yorkshire with Doncaster, where he’s remained for an unbelievable sixteen years.
Showing no signs of slowing down, Coppinger topped the assist table last term and paramount to Doncaster’s consistent placing in the play-off spots, as well as being a huge aid to John Marquis’ fabulous season in front of goal.
The Guisborough-born Donny legend has almost seven-hundred Doncaster appearances and almost eighty goals to his name, and he will be looking to add to his memorable time at the club by beating Sunderland this afternoon.