Former Burnley FC players set for Turf Moor return

Thomas, signed by Steve Cotterill in the summer of 2005, suffered a torrid time in East Lancashire after sustaining two serious injuries; tearing his knee ligaments before before breaking his second metatarsal bone. After returning from a lengthy spell on the sidelines, Cotterill made Thomas club captain at the start of the 2006/07 campaign but a year later he was sold to Southampton in a deal worth £1.2m.

Thomas suffered further misfortune after arriving at the Keepmoat Stadium in August. He featured in Doncaster’s 1-1 draw against Bristol City at the start of the season and 4-0 defeat away at Cardiff City the following week before fracturing a bone at the back of his knee. The 31-year-old returned to action at the weekend in the 2-1 home win against Millwall.

Cotterill also brought John Oster to Turf Moor in January 2005 and made 12 league starts for the Clarets before moving to the Madejski Stadium that summer. Both Thomas’ and Oster’s only goals for Burnley came against Coventry City.

Martin Woods faces a late fitness test for Rovers after missing out at the weekend. Woods had an operation on his groin in the summer and O’Driscoll is wary that the inclement weather conditions could hamper his recovery. Dean Shiels is expected to maintain his place on the left-hand side of midfield.

Fan favourite and captain Brian Stock has been in and out of the side this season after suffering indifferent form but performed heroically in the middle of the park at the weekend and is also expected to start.

Meanwhile, Joseph Mills, the younger brother of Reading’s Matt Mills, has been drafted in on-loan from Southampton as a stand-in for the injured George Friend and will feature once again at left full-back. Friends picked up a medial-ligament injury in Rovers’ NJpower Championship game against Scunthorpe.

Clarets’ summer target Billy Sharp will miss the game as he continues his recovery from a hamstring strain picked up against his hometown team Sheffield United meaning David Healy, who scored on his debut at the weekend after joining Rovers on loan from Sunderland, will partner James Hayter once again.

O’Driscoll, who was one of the favourites to succeed Owen Coyle folloowing his departure from Turf Moor in January, is expected to line-up 4-4-2 with: Sullivan; O’Connor, Thomas, Martis, Mills; Coppinger, Stock, Oster, Shiels; Hayter, Healy.