John Buckley is eyeing his chance to move into double figures for Rovers starts against Doncaster in the FA Cup – even if that comes at right back.

Buckley is one of several of the club’s fringe players awaiting more opportunities, his sole start this term coming against Rotherham United last month, but he has made 14 substitute appearances.

They are part of 40 in all that Buckley has now made since making his debut in March 2019, and the homegrown 21-year-old believes the FA Cup can provide him, and others, with a platform to shine.

With Ryan Nyambe self-isolating, and Elliott Bennett and Joe Rankin-Costello out injured, Buckley could start at right back, with Barry Douglas handed that role at Birmingham last time out.

He said: “If I am starting then it will be a good opportunity for me to try and impress.

“It will be a good opportunity for some of the other lads who haven’t started many games either.

“The gaffer will want to win it as we will as well so it will be a good game.

“Doncaster are a good team, we’ve watched them, and what we’ve seen of them, they look a good team.”

Buckley, along with Tyrhys Dolan, has featured in every matchday squad so far in the Championship, but is yet to have a sustained run in the side since his back-to-back starts over the festive period in 2019.

There he started twice against Birmingham City and Huddersfield Town following the injury to Bradley Dack, but while keen to breakthrough in his preferred midfield position, his opportunities of late have come at right back.

“It’s hard to try and get a run of games, but I’ve been in every matchday squad so I’m involved, I’m playing quite a few games,” he added.

“I’m up to 40 appearances and I want to keep progressing for the club because I love it here.

“I’m always learning, the likes of Stewart Downing are always helping me and you just have to learn from these experienced pros.

“How they act around the place, the training ground, it’s all about the little things, and I’ve learned a lot.”