Doncaster boss Dean Saunders has admitted that midfielder James Coppinger could be one of those leaving the Keepmoat Stadium over the summer in the wake of his side's relegation. On Thursday, Blues manager Paul Jewell said he could renew his interest in the former Exeter man, having failed to land the 31-year-old during the last close season, but played down the likelihood of a deal on Saturday.

Saunders says Coppinger may be one of several players moving on as Rovers look to cut costs following their drop into League One: “I would imagine. He’s got two years left. I would imagine that some clubs will come in for him. I imagine that some clubs will come in for George [Friend], Tommy Spurr, lots of them.

“And some of the ones out of contract who I’d like to keep, we’ve let their contracts run out, so if they go it’s our fault really. They’re going to have other options.

“There are some that I really don’t want to go but if a Championship club comes in and offers them more money, I can’t really stop them.”

Midfielder Simon Gillett, who was interesting the Blues prior to his move to Doncaster in the summer of 2010, is amongst the Rovers players whose contracts are up at the end of June.

Despite his comments regarding Coppinger on Thursday, speaking after Saturday’s game, Jewell played down the likelihood of the Blues being able to do a deal for the ex-Darlington and Newcastle man: “I don’t think so. We’d like good players, he’s a good player, Coppinger, but I don’t think so.”

Saunders said Jewell, who he played for at Bradford, was yet to ask him about the Guisborough-born midfielder: “He’s not said anything, we’ve not heard anything.

“Probably now the season is over with, people are going to start making a few moves but there are lots of teams still playing, there’s another game in League One next week and then there are the play-offs.”

Photo: Action Images

Photo: Action Images

Wickets added 08:18 - Apr 30 Well did he ask or not? he did say he would!!
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Karlosfandangal added 08:43 - Apr 30 Bet he wishes he had signed in the summer, would have had a big fat contract but not now. Same sort of deal as Drury and Stevenson
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Kesgraveblue57 added 08:48 - Apr 30 Oh we must have him aged 31 he played for a top team called Exeter he is a must, NOT
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Superfrans added 09:20 - Apr 30 Pretty obvious what has happened here. We have asked about his availability, and potential fee, Saunders has said £1m or something and we've walked away. Quite right too.
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bluelady added 09:33 - Apr 30 kesgrave how much do you knw about this player? He would be an asset at the right place.
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walberswick added 09:52 - Apr 30 Financial fair play model = more loan players.
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tractorboy2434 added 09:57 - Apr 30 I say again, why, he is 31, George Boyd at Posh is 26 and a better player, if Coppinger was worth 1M somebody would have signed him, not worth the money
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bluelady added 10:08 - Apr 30 *at the right price not place. Agreed 1 million way over the odds.... but at the right price def worth a two year contract and will add something.
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blueblood66 added 10:28 - Apr 30 not prepared to pay the cash, the price has to be right I guess.
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CornardBlue added 10:35 - Apr 30 Always looked good when he played with Billy Sharp, but i would like us to go for Anthony Wordsworth from Colchester he is only 23, would add height to our midfield scores goals, have seen him play several times this season and is class. Would say we could get him for about 500k.
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Karlosfandangal added 10:39 - Apr 30 Tractorboy 2343 Boyd no, know alot of Posh fans and they say they will be glad to see him go, good div 1 player very average lazy Championship player (in their eyes) They say refused to sign contract as its not enough money. (so they say) How true or just sour grape because he wants to go. Forest sent him back after loan spell there the other season. Coppinger had a good season again in a very poor Doncaster side.

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PJ_Needs_Duncan added 10:45 - Apr 30 We should go for Paddy McCourt (the Derry Pele) instead of Coppinger, he's a real crowd favourite north of the border due to his technical ability and skill. Contract runs out next year only used as an impact sub could be bought on the cheap. I know for a fact he would get the crowd making noise in seconds! Very exciting player reminds me of Reuser if I had to compare him with someone.

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dizzle added 11:27 - Apr 30 Forget about Coppinger its George Friend we should be looking to sign from Doncaster. Only 24, a quick left back or left winger and can play centre-back. I met him when he was at Wolves n he's a decent bloke too, no arrogance at all. Doncaster made him their captain within months of him arriving before he got an injury. We could do with a few intelligent players like him - a footballer with A levels no less!!

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jas0999 added 11:48 - Apr 30 No - should be looking for younger players. Oldies and loans didn't work this season and PJ has apparently 'learnt' from his many mistakes. We can do better than this guy
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merl added 15:17 - Apr 30 We can do better than this. We need to build for the future, with lesser-known young players, like we did with Cresswell. PJ should have learnt from his mistakes from last summer, and we shouldn't be looking at older players.
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Sindre94 added 16:45 - Apr 30 I would look elsewhere, towards Paul Taylor perhaps.
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ClassyCranson added 22:44 - Apr 30 Coppinger will be moving on for sure, he's far too good a player for League 1. I am not sure we need him as we have already got Drury and Stevenson.
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marshallmania added 23:00 - Apr 30 Bullard is gonna do the business next season and we have good enough midfielders here already to play around him. Last pre season Coppinger may have been a good shot but we have a good player in Drury now and I think Stevenson will prove a good buy next season. Get Wickham back and sort the defence:-)
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Keaneish added 08:44 - May 1 If we're looking at this type of player, i'd forget Coppinger, Boyd etc and move for Ritchie at Swindon.
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