Doncaster Rovers boss Grant McCann has stated his side will not make another signing after the loss of loanee Frankie Okoronkwo.
The former Salford City man made the switch to the Eco-Power Stadium on loan in January, and had started fairly well with one goal in five appearances before a hamstring injury ended his season.
McCann Reveals Transfer Verdict
Having last played against Leyton Orient in January, Okoronkwo had looked to have settled in nicely in South Yorkshire, having previous League One experience with Lincoln City during the first half of the campaign.
However, that progress was quickly cut short with the revelation that a hamstring injury had ended his season, and that the forward would head back to parent club Everton to recover.
Speaking to the Doncaster Free Press following their match against Plymouth Argyle, Rovers boss Grant McCann gave a very blunt response as to whether they would re-recruit in the position.
“No interest.”
The loss of the 21-year-old has left Doncaster somewhat short in forward options, with their visit to Home Park seeing Wrexham midfielder Elliot Lee fill in up front alongside Brandon Hanlan to some success with the former opening the scoring.
What a hit from @drfc_official‘s Elliot Lee! 😳#EFL | #SkyBetLeagueOne pic.twitter.com/FoSJp23Tf1
— Sky Bet League One (@SkyBetLeagueOne) March 7, 2026
Elaborating on what went wrong on the day, with Argyle later coming back to claim all three points, McCann added:
“To come away and play as well as we did and not to win the game or even take a point is frustrating because it’s probably the biggest team I’ve picked all season and we’ve conceded from a set-play.
“We then started okay in the second half, but gave away a penalty which, for me, is not a penalty. I don’t know what Owen (Bailey) is meant to do with his hands. His hands are by his side and the distance is short. We’re always told by the referees if your hands are by your side and the distance is short then it’s not a penalty.
“Zander did well to save it and then to concede off just a free-kick straight in is really frustrating for us. I need to look back at it. It looks like two of the line drops, two of the line stay and that leaves a few of their players free in the middle of the box. He misses it and it ends up going in the far corner.”
Ronan Curtis’ penalty shot is saved by Zander Clark#drfc #pafc pic.twitter.com/Qwi3wY5ScH
— Carter (@carterargyle) March 7, 2026
Is Avoiding Free Agency The Right Move?
With Frankie Okoronkwo out for the season, it would have not been surprising to see Doncaster Rovers make an emergency move into the free agent market to give them some options.
The club are now down to just four players able to play striker, with just Brandon Hanlan and Billy Sharp the only out-and-out number nines, supported by Hakeeb Adelakun and to a lesser extent Jordan Gibson.
Elliot Lee proved that he can also help up top with his strike against Plymouth Argyle, which is likely the deciding factor in why Grant McCann has opted not to find a new option.
With few games left in the season, trying to integrate a new player into the squad with relegation at stake might not be the wisest of decisions.
If Doncaster can find the first goal, like they did at Home Park, and hold onto their lead in a few more games this season, that might be their best chance of fending off the teams behind them and securing a spot in League One next season.
