Doncaster Rovers boss Grant McCann has admitted the good form of the forwards in his squad so far this season is proving to be a “problem” for Bristol City loanee Ephraim Yeboah.
The 18-year-old attacker joined Rovers on loan during the summer transfer window having featured for both the Robins and Bath City over the course of last season in what was his breakthrough campaign.
Under the management of Nigel Pearson, the teenager made 10 Championship appearances off of the bench and won over supporters with his energetic style of play and raw pace. Although he wasn’t able to get on the scoresheet in City colours, he showed plenty of promise in his limited game time.
When Manning took over at Ashton Gate, Yeboah’s opportunities became more limited with Tommy Conway and Nahki Wells preferred by the 39-year-old and therefore the decision was taken to allow Yeboah to join Bath City on a temporary basis, where he went on to score two goals in nine National League South matches.
Early on in pre-season, it was announced that the 18-year-old would be joining League Two side Doncaster Rovers on a season-long loan, but so far, Yeboah has not been able to force his way into the starting XI on a consistent basis.
The teenager has only started one of Rovers’ opening 17 league games this term and is yet to find the net in League Two, with his only two goals in Doncaster colours coming in the EFL Trophy. Although Rovers boss McCann has been impressed by Yeboah’s technical ability, the form of the likes of Kyle Hurst and Luke Molyneux in particular has made it hard for him to hand the City loanee opportunities.
“He hasn’t had a chance to have a proper run in the team,” McCann told Doncaster Free Press. “Ephraim’s been in and out, coming off the bench, starting EFL Trophy games etc.
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“I think he’s shown what he is about particularly in the two Trophy games (against Huddersfield and Manchester United Under-21s) where he scored in both. He’s got serious ability and we see it every single day. But the problem he’s got at this moment in time is there are players in good form.
“Luke Molyneux is in good form, Kyle Hurst has been coming into form and Jordan Gibson is in form, as is Joe Sbarra.
“We’ve got a lot of players like Ephraim, having to wait for opportunities. Ben Close is another. They understand the team is doing fine at the minute but once those opportunities come, I’m sure they’ll take it.”
Doncaster’s next game sees them travel to non-league Kettering Town in the second round of the FA Cup on Sunday and both Bristol City and Yeboah will be hoping the weaker opposition will allow the teenager to make his first start since October.