Doncaster Rovers have confirmed their retained list following the end of the season, with seven players released and one placed on the transfer list.
There is movement already in South Yorkshire as preparations begin for the summer window, with details emerging here outlining the club’s early decisions on squad reshaping.
The headline development sees winger Glenn Middleton made available for transfer despite still having a year remaining on his current deal. The 25-year-old only arrived last summer after leaving Dundee United, but a limited return of 15 league starts and one goal has seen him pushed towards the exit door.
Middleton’s situation is separate from a group of seven players who will depart the club when their contracts expire. Among those leaving is experienced forward Billy Sharp, whose exit had already been confirmed prior to the retained list announcement.
He is joined by defender James Maxwell, midfielders Ben Close, Zain Westbrooke and Joe Sbarra, along with wide players Jordan Gibson and Kyle Hurst. All played varying roles during Doncaster’s recent League Two title-winning campaign, but will now move on as the club looks to evolve its squad.
There has, however, been a degree of continuity in other areas. The club have exercised extension clauses on Harry Clifton, Bobby Faulkner, Will Flint and Jacob Bryant, ensuring a core group remains in place heading into the next campaign.
Meanwhile, discussions are ongoing with Jake Oram and Jack Senior, both of whom have been offered new contracts. Their decisions could yet shape the final composition of the squad before pre-season begins.
As things stand, Doncaster head into the summer with around 20 senior professionals under contract, a number that could increase depending on the outcome of those negotiations.
Another area still to be clarified concerns the club’s loan contingent. While it has been confirmed that all loan players will return to their parent clubs, it remains to be seen whether any could be targeted for permanent moves once the season formally concludes.
Manager Grant McCann is expected to address several of these points in the coming days, particularly with one final fixture still to be played before attention fully turns to recruitment.
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