NEW signings Carlos Edwards and Liam Rosenior are both major doubts for Ipswich Town's match at Doncaster Rovers today.The right-sided duo both went off injured in the second half of Tuesday night's 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest, Edwards with a hamstring problem and Rosenior following a blow to the head.

Stuart Watson

NEW signings Carlos Edwards and Liam Rosenior are both major doubts for Ipswich Town's match at Doncaster Rovers today.

The right-sided duo both went off injured in the second half of Tuesday night's 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest, Edwards with a hamstring problem and Rosenior following a blow to the head.

“Both are very much doubtful,” confirmed Ipswich manager Roy Keane. “Carlos came off with a hamstring and he's highly unlikely to play, certainly to start the game. We have pushed him since he came to the club and we have got to be very careful with him.

“Liam, again, is very doubtful. The swelling above his eye hasn't come down yet so it will probably mean another reshuffle, but that's the way it is.”

Keane will also be without defender Gareth McAuley, who is suspended following his late red card on Tuesday night, while Connor Wickham is a minor doubt following a groin problem.

“Our squad's not too bad,” said Keane. “Other lads have got the opportunity to come in and make a challenge for a place. We've got Pim (Balkestein) and young Tom (Tommy Smith) so that gives one of them a chance.”

Meanwhile, Doncaster Rovers will be without in-form striker James Hayter today. The 30-year-old scored four goals at the back end of last season and has already netted twice this campaign but will miss out due to a groin injury.

Doubts also remain over midfielder James Coppinger (groin) and defender Gareth Roberts (ankle) who have both missed training sessions this week.

Better news for Doncaster manager Sean O'Driscoll is that he looks likely to have last season's top scorer Paul Heffernan available.

Should both Coppinger and Heffernan not come through fitness tests, then 20-year-old Waide Fairhurst and on-loan striker Billy Sharp will continue up front.

Doncaster are unbeaten at home in the league this season, their draws against Preston (1-1) and Coventry (0-0) having been followed up with victory over Cardiff (2-0).

Since then the South Yorkshire club have drawn 0-0 away at Reading before losing 3-1 at West Brom on Tuesday night.

O'Driscoll said: “We were disappointed with the fact that we didn't get something out of the West Brom game so we've got to make sure that we get something (today).

“I watched Ipswich early doors against Coventry because we had Coventry coming up. Apart from conceding what they probably felt were two poor goals, they were by far the better team but still ended up losing 2-0.

“We've experienced playing well in the Championship and having nothing to show for it.

“Roy (Keane) has spent a lot of money (since he took over at the club) and he's got a powerful squad.

“By their standards they have made a poor start but you wouldn't bet against them not being far off at the end of the season.”