Wrexham might have handed Doncaster Rovers the keys to League One survival | OneFootball

Doncaster Rovers sit just above the relegation zone.

Doncaster Rovers sit just above the relegation zone, and have struggled throughout the Sky Bet League One campaign.

They started the season well, continuing their momentum from a title-winning surge in the spring and a slew of positive moves in the transfer market over the summer.

However, the momentum floundered as the winless streak became double-digits and the dreaded relegation spots loomed.

January has been a good month for Rovers, pushing their head back above the dotted line. But, there is still a lot of work to be done to secure their spot in the third tier. One signing in particular has boosted their odds massively, adding a much-needed spark to the Doncaster squad

Elliot Lee swaps Wrexham for Doncaster Rovers

Experienced attacking midfielder Elliot Lee was part of the Wrexham outfit that quickly ascended up the English footballing ranks, winning three promotions with the Red Dragons.

However, like striker Paul Mullin, who has recently reunited with Bradford City, he has seen his game time limited since the Welsh club made it all the way to the Championship.

In search of first team football, Lee has joined Doncaster on loan until the end of the current campaign. It gives him a chance to stake his claim once more, whether that be to prospective League One or second tier clubs.

Meanwhile, it has given Rovers the jolt in the arm they needed.

Lee, now 31 years old, sparkled on a victorious debut away to Burton Albion. Across an hour of football, according to FotMob, he notched an 88% pass accuracy, created one big chance, and managed two shots. He was forced into a makeshift centre forward role, but looked suited to his new surroundings immediately.

The Englishman knows where the back of the net is. He scored 16 League Two goals as Wrexham won the title back in the 2023/24 season, his best goalscoring campaign for the club.

On route to Wrexham’s third successive promotion, Lee added eight goals, but has not played a minute of Championship football since.

Limited to EFL Cup appearances, it was agreed he was better off away from the Racecourse Ground. And, that has been a massive gain for Doncaster.

It’s the push Grant McCann’s side needed

Everton youngster Frankie Okoronkwo joined earlier in January after a failed loan spell at high-flying Lincoln City over the first half of the campaign. He came in with real intent as a workhorse of a striker and added something new to the Doncaster front line which had been struggling with just veteran Billy Sharp and the inconsistent Brandon Hanlan.

It looked like an extra addition was not coming to the Eco Power Stadium as the days ticked down, and deadline day arrived. But, McCann and the Rovers’ higher-ups had their hand forced as Okoronkwo picked up an injury that would see him month a month of action.

The remedy to the attacking woes had evaporated just as quickly as he arrived. However, the surprise move for Lee may turn out to be a fantastic solution.

He has added experience and an EFL know-how to a Doncaster side that was crying out for it. They have been passive and weak at times during the season, too soft with the ball and toothless in the final third. Lee will help mend those gaping holes, showing sparks of what he can do in his debut against Burton.

Small margins decide football games and relegation battles. And, with important fixtures coming up against sides at both ends of the table, a calm and controlled head like that of the Wrexham loanee will do Rovers the world of good.

Lee could well be the piece that completes the puzzle for Doncaster and keeps them in League One. It is a sport of narrow margins, and the meaningful gain of securing the forward’s signature could be what keeps Rovers above the relegation zone come May.