VETERAN Premier League striker Dean Windass could join Doncaster Rovers on loan in time to face Ipswich Town tomorrow.The Hull City hit-man, who was involved a nearly morning brawl with team-mate Marlon King in casino in midweek, is wanted by Rovers boss Sean O'Driscoll and the incident may work to his favour.

Derek Davis

By Derek Davis

VETERAN Premier League striker Dean Windass could join Doncaster Rovers on loan in time to face Ipswich Town tomorrow.

The Hull City hit-man, who was involved a nearly morning brawl with team-mate Marlon King in casino in midweek, is wanted by Rovers boss Sean O'Driscoll and the incident may work to his favour.

Rovers chairman John Ryan has returned from holidaying in South Africa and it understood has held fresh talks with his Tigers counterpart Paul Duffen about securing Windass.

Hull have previously said the striker could go out on loan to the Keepmoat Stadium but the player has declined to go.

But the incident with King who has taken his place in the side, along with the lack of regular football, could prompt Windass into a change of heart.

Windass has made just two substitute appearance for Hull this year in the Premier League, a 5-0 loss at home against Wigan and a 3-0 defeat by Chelsea but scored against Swansea in the 2-1 league Cup loss.

Windass has a formidable scoring record against Ipswich with six goals in 10 matches, the first 10 years ago.

But even though he scores a lot against Town his sides have not had much luck and he has been on the winning team just twice and have been on the losing side in four the past five encounters.

Doncaster need more firepower after failing to find the net on their past three matches. They have not scored more than once this season and in their 17 League and cup matches have only scored in seven games.

Although manager Sean O'Driscoll brought on Darren Byfield from Bristol City he has stayed faithful with Jason Price as the lone man up front, supported by wide men coming from a five-man midfield.

James Coppinger has returned from injury and a consideration, while Rovers skipper Adam Lockwood is looking for a return to action.

He could fit in alongside centre-half Matt Mills, a £300,000 signing from Manchester City.

Left-back Gareth Roberts was last night rated 50-50 to be fit after tweaking a hamstring so San Hird or Gordon Greer could fill in.

derek.davis@eadt.co.uk