CURTIS Nelson will not be able to face Doncaster Rovers this afternoon despite impressing for Oxford United this week, according to boss Karl Robinson.

The centre back excelled against Sky Bet League One leaders Wigan Athletic on Tuesday night, especially considering it was his first start in five months following a ruptured Achilles tendon.

But Nelson is unlikely to be risked today, with head coach Robinson concerned about overloading the U’s skipper.

He said: “Nelse is not fit enough to do that, he’d break down.

“He’s nowhere near it yet.

“He’s not going to be able to play many games, we know that.

“It was just to get him a game in case we need him for anything.

“We know he’s got minutes in his legs.”

Joe Wright (ankle) is Doncaster’s only player expected to be ruled out through injury.

However, with Tuesday night’s 3-3 draw with Bury ending any faint hopes of a play-off charge, Rovers boss Darren Ferguson could shuffle his pack with some regular starters carrying knocks.

Top-scorer John Marquis and the experienced James Coppinger are among those who could be given a break.

TODAY’S LINE-UPS

Doncaster Rov: from Marosi, Mason, Boyle, Butler, Rowe, McCullough, Houghton, Whiteman, Coppinger, Marquis, Kiwomya, Beestin, May, Kongolo, Anderson, Blair, Alcock, Lawlor.

Oxford Utd: from Eastwood, Kane, Dickie, Mousinho, Ricardinho, Brannagan, Ledson, Mowatt, Rothwell, Henry, Thomas, Obika, Van Kessel, Mehmeti, Napa, Buckley-Ricketts, Ruffels, Carroll, Smith-Brown, Martin, Shearer.