James Collins has revealed that Grant McCann’s faith persuaded him to join Doncaster Rovers, with the Lincoln City striker determined to repay that belief by scoring goals once he completes his recovery from injury.
The 35-year-old moved to the Eco-Power Stadium on loan until January during the closing stages of the transfer window. It was a decision driven partly by the Championship’s 25-player squad limit, which left City needing to find Collins an opportunity elsewhere.
He has not played since rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament during our Vertu Trophy meeting with Huddersfield Town in December. Despite the severity of the injury, the Imps activated an option to extend his contract until the summer of 2027, underlining how he is regarded at Sincil Bank.
Collins remains in the latter stages of his rehabilitation and is expected to continue that work with Doncaster before potentially returning to action later this year. McCann was the first manager to contact him after it became clear he could leave Lincoln temporarily.
“I’m really pleased. I’m glad it’s done now,” Collins told Doncaster’s club media.
“It’s been going on for a couple of days. I spoke to the manager about his thoughts and I was pleased to speak to him and listen to what he had to say. So to finally get it over the line, I’m really pleased.
“The gaffer at Doncaster was the first person to call and say he was really interested in bringing me to the club. Hearing that after being out for 10 months, that someone wants to take a chance on you, get you back fit and give you the opportunity to play again, it was a great feeling.”
Collins made an immediate impression after joining us from Derby County in January 2025. He scored from the bench on his debut against Peterborough United and finished his first half-season at the club with 10 league goals from 20 appearances.
He subsequently played his part in our promotion to the Championship, even though injury brought his campaign to a premature end. City’s decision to extend his contract while he was beginning a lengthy rehabilitation demonstrated the club’s commitment to him, but the squad regulations in the second tier complicated his immediate prospects here.
A loan to Doncaster should give Collins a clearer route back into competitive football once he is ready. Rovers gain a vastly experienced striker with more than 200 senior goals, while we have the opportunity to see him build his fitness and rediscover his sharpness in League One.
“I think you take football for granted a bit when you’re fit and available and you’re playing every week, but once it gets taken away from you, you realise how much you miss it,” he added.
“My focus now is getting back fully fit as quickly as possible and helping Doncaster Rovers be successful this season.
“I firmly believe I can play a big role here, score goals and help the team be successful. Hopefully that will go hand in hand with the gaffer. He gave me the opportunity to come here and play some football, and I can repay him and the fans with some goals.”
For Collins, the next few months are about completing a demanding recovery and getting back onto the pitch. Quite what the end game looks like for City is unclear, given the high number of forwards we have, it may be that Doncaster are taking the player with a view to him looking at something permanent in January.
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