The Blues
Shell-shocked Rovers tipped to fail
LEYTON Orient manager and former Southend United winger Martin Ling has backed the Blues to overcome Doncaster Rovers and face Leeds United in the League One play-off final.
But Ling, who spent six seasons at Roots Hall between 1986 and 1991, believes his old club will come up short against the Yorkshire side at Wembley on May 25.
Rovers only missed out on automatic promotion at the expense of Nottingham Forest after losing 2-1 at struggling Cheltenham Town on Saturday, and Ling believes the Shrimpers hold all the aces going into tonight's first leg.
Ling, whose side held Rovers to a 1-1 draw last month, said: "Leeds are the team entering the play-offs in the best form and they're my tip to join Swansea and Nottingham Forest in the Championship next season.
"Stick their 15 points back on and Gary McAllister's side would be 11 points superior to Doncaster and Carlisle, who will be smarting after the way their seasons ended.
"In fact, I'd take Southend to beat Donny in the other semi-final. I just feel that Leeds and Southend will be in better heart than the other two sides."
Doncaster themselves will have to overcome a final-day disappointment at Whaddon Road that left chairman John Ryan feeling "shattered".
However manager Sean O'Driscoll, who led the club to Johnstone's Paint Trophy glory last season, has earned a reputation for his side's fine attacking style of play.
And the Irishman can call on the club's three previous promotions to the second tier of English football - following Division Three North championship wins in 1935, 1947, 1950 - for inspiration.
Meanwhile director of football Mickey Walker is hoping racehorse Doncaster Rovers' victory at Chester on Monday may prove to be a lucky omen.
"Hopefully we can be first past the post in what is effectively a four-horse race to the Championship," he said.
Doncaster will be without injured defender Stephen Roberts, while Mark Wilson is facing a race to be fit.
DONCASTER'S LIKELY STARTING XI
l NEIL SULLIVAN - 38 - Experienced ex-Chelsea, Tottenham and Leeds goalkeeper has become a popular figure since joining Rovers, initially on loan, in November 2006. Has made 52 appearances this season.
l JAMES O'CONNOR - 23 - Irish full-back recovered from car crash to play in 2002 FA Youth Cup final for Aston Villa. Moved to club from Bournemouth for £130,000 in May 2006.
l SAM HIRD - 20 - Left-back joined Rovers after being released by Leeds United. Loaned to Grimsby Town earlier this season before forcing his way into the Rovers first team last month.
l MATTHEW MILLS - 21 - England Under-21 centre-back on loan from Manchester City. Sidelined with a cartilege problem earlier this season, but returned to action in mid-January.
l PAUL GREEN - 24 - A one-club man who has been with Rovers since 2001. The defender is the only survivor from Doncaster's 2003 Nationwide Conference play-off winning squad.
l RICHIE WELLENS - 28 - Made one League Cup appearance for Manchester United before enjoying successful spells at Oldham and Blackpool. Talented midfielder twice named in League One team of the year.
l BRIAN STOCK - 26 - Called up to the full Welsh squad in March, the former Wales Under-21 international moved to Doncaster 18 months ago from Championship side Preston.
l GARETH ROBERTS - 30 - Left-sided Wales international. Won the FA Youth Cup with Liverpool in 1996. Moved to Greek side Panionios in 1999 before spending seven years at Tranmere Rovers.
l JAMES COPPINGER - 27 - Exciting, tricky attacking midfielder who started with Newcastle, making one appearance, before representing Hartlepool, Exeter City and Rovers, who he joined in June 2004.
l MARK McCAMMON - 29 - Powerful Barbados international forward. Not prolific, but did manage to score the first ever goal at Doncaster's new Keepmoat Stadium on New Year's Day 2007.
l GARETH TAYLOR - 35 - Vastly experienced Wales international striker who has played for 12 clubs in his 18-year career. Scored for Wales against Scotland at Millennium Stadium in 2004.
AND THE REST OF THE SQUAD
l BEN SMITH - 21 - Reserve goalkeeper who has just 18 senior appearances to his name, including five on loan at Lincoln City earlier this season.
l GRAEME LEE - 29 - Middlesbrough-born defender-cum-striker was a stalwart at both Hartlepool and Sheffield Wednesday before joining Rovers in 2006.
l ADAM LOCKWOOD - 26 - Former Leeds trainee dropped into non-league before rising through the ranks with Yeovil Town, where he won the FA Trophy, Conference and League Two titles.
l JASON PRICE - 21 - Welsh-born midfielder has only recently returned to action after a long period out with a snapped Achilles tendon. Known for unusual goal celebrations.
l MARK WILSON - 29 - A midfielder who has played for 10 clubs in four different countries, including Manchester United, Livingston, Wrexham and FC Dallas in the United States.
l MARTIN WOODS - 22 - Left-sided Scot has not appeared for Rovers since returning from a loan spell at Yeovil in March.
l STUART ELLIOTT - 29 - Northern Ireland winger who has spent the latter part of this season on loan from Championship side Hull City, but has failed to score for Rovers.
l LEWIS GUY - 22 - Infamous for his diving, forward Guy played once for Newcastle in the UEFA Cup before joining Doncaster in March 2005.
l JAMES HAYTER - 29 - Born on the Isle of Wight. The former Blues target scored the Football League's fastest ever hat-trick, in less than 140 seconds, during his time at Bournemouth.
l PAUL HEFFERNAN - 26 - Prolific Dublin-born striker was also a reported transfer target of Steve Tilson but the Shrimpers boss denied any interest in him.
8:19am Friday 9th May 2008
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