Jones back in training

Jones has been out since October with the problem but Rovers boss Paul Dickov insists there is more at stake than just football, and the 34-year-old defender will not be rushed back into action.

"Rob has had his scan and seen the specialist, who has said he can tentatively start heading the ball in training," Dickov told the club's official website.

"We have to be careful with this type of injury and as much as we really want him back we cannot rush him. The scan indicated that there was not a big improvement since last time with the bulging of the disks but the good news is that it is not pressing on the nerves anymore.

"So today (Thursday) he will start heading balls and will see a specialist in London next Monday. We can't take chances with this type of injury which is serious, so we need to take on board all advice and look after him

"We have to make sure we do right by Rob as it's his career and life. I know how serious this is as I had a disk removed from my back, which not only effects your playing, but also it's a mental thing also you have to get past. We won't risk Rob until we have 100 per cent all clear from the specialist.

"This is a small step forward and we are hopeful we can get Rob back soon but we have to be aware it could be longer term, which means at this time we can't put a timescale on him coming back.

"The next few days will see how it reacts and then it will be what the specialist says Monday before we know where we are at. We don't want to think that it will rule him out for the season but we know there is a slight chance he may need an operation to fuse the disks, which I had done when I played.

"If that is the case then it would keep him out for the season but we are hopeful that that will not be needed."

Meanwhile, former Bolton and West Brom defender Abdoulaye Meite has agreed to join the club on a contract until the end of the season.

Meite has been training with Doncaster since his deal with FC Honka expired at the end of October. Upon his departure from the Finnish Premier Division side the 33-year-old centre-half was prevented from signing for another club for the remainder of 2013.

Dickov has also revealed he will not be pursuing extensions to loans for Reece Wabara and Yun Suk Young, of Manchester City and QPR respectively, at this time.