Reported Nottingham Forest, Derby and QPR target Ben Whiteman was left out of Doncaster Rovers’ squad on Saturday after having his head turned by Championship interest, as reported by the Free Press.
For Donny fans, February 1 cannot come soon enough.
Because Whiteman is not only their inspirational captain – the man who makes Darren Moore’s side tick – he is also the most in-form, influential midfielder in the whole of League One.
Losing this smoothest of operators midway through the season simply doesn’t bare thinking about, especially with Doncaster fourth in the table and pushing for promotion.
But, according to reports coming out of Yorkshire, Whiteman was left out of the 1-0 FA Cup third round victory at Blackburn Rovers after becoming distracted by talk of a potential move to the Championship.
Queens Park Rangers have had a bid rejected, while Nottingham Forest and Derby County have identified the former Sheffield United youngster as a man capable of adding some craft and creativity in central midfield (Athletic).
The Free Press believe that Whiteman, who has scored a career-best eight goals this season, is likely to end up at Preston – perhaps as a replacement for the coveted Ben Pearson – having expressed a desire to remain within touching distance of his Lancashire birthplace.
It remains to be seen how much Doncaster want for their star man but, given his influence on and off the pitch, Whiteman feels nothing short of priceless.
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