Winger Hakeeb Adelakun failed to make an impact on loan at Gillingham but returns to Priestfield with Doncaster in top form.
Adelakun’s stunning winner against Dagenham in the FA Cup was one of the few highlights of his time on loan at the Gills during last season where he struggled to show the skills he’s now displaying.
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His 21 league appearances for the Gills were underwhelming but the turnaround has been impressive.
Back at parent club Lincoln City, the 27-year-old started this season by earning himself a place in their League 1 side, scoring a handful of goals too, before signing for Doncaster on loan in January.
He’s made 18 league appearances for them and has played a big part in their sensational run towards the play-offs, winning 10 games in a row ahead of their trip to Priestfield.
Adelakun’s managed an impressive 10 goals since mid-February.
Adelakun played under former Gills boss Neil Harris at ME7 and current head coach Stephen Clemence knows he’s one they will have to watch this weekend.
Clemence said: “You always want to do well against your old club when you go back, I have experienced it myself, and he will be the same.
“I did ask the question ‘how come he left?!’ I believe he didn’t have a great time here, which can happen, but he is a good player and has done very well for Doncaster and for (their manager) Grant (McCann).
“They have other threats as well, which we have to be ready for. The boys will be aware of what threats they have going forward but they will also be aware of the spaces where we can attack when we go forward, it goes both ways.”
Clemence and McCann shared the same agent during their playing days and now share a mutual friend.
“They go golfing every summer and I sometimes get pictures from them after a few beers late at night!” Clemence joked.
“He is a good man, a good coach, he still has something to play for and I wish it was us, I really do, we just fell a couple of results short unfortunately.”
Doncaster need to avoid defeat to guarantee their play-off place after their impressive winning run.
“It is some going,” Clemence said of their form. “It is hard to do in any league, so fair play to them.
“I have watched them and I can see how they get results, they get plenty of bodies forward and they have got pace and power in the team.
“They have got a centre forward who has scored goals at the level for a while, they have done very well, but they have to lose some day.
“I know they have still got plenty to play for but we want to make sure we send our fans home happy with a result and that’s going to be the aim.
“They are going to be a tough opponent, they’ve been on a brilliant run. Normally in every division there is someone who comes out of the pack and they have come from right at the bottom to where they are now.
“Grant has done a fantastic job, he has some very good players and he’s used them very well. It will be a tough game but I think we will be a tough game for them too.”
