Last season’s first ever visit to the Eco-Power Stadium brings back sore memories for U’s, who appeared to be well set for an away victory thanks to Donovan Wilson’s first half strike before Doncaster scored twice in stoppage time, although Sutton gained a measure of revenge in February with an comfortable 2-0 win at the VBS.

This season, with Grant McCann returning for a second spell as manager, Doncaster started as one of the favourites after a summer that saw right back Jamie Sterry sign from Hartlepool, experienced defender Richard Wood make the short trip from Rotherham and striker Joe Ironside move from Cambridge, but their start was not what would have been hoped and it wasn’t until 16 September that they picked up a first win of the season at Forest Green. Subsequent wins over Gillingham and Crawley have moved them away from the foot of the table, although with defeats at Barrow and Stockport mixed in with those results consistency has proved elusive and they are currently in 20th place, four points above Sutton. Wood is one of a number of players likely to miss Saturday’s game through injury.

Having rung the changes on Tuesday Sutton manager Matt Gray has no fresh injury worries, and has Rob Milsom back in contention after he came through a 45 minute appearance against Crawley, but Louis John, Jack Rose and Craig Eastmond all remain on the injured list, with the skipper facing an operation on his hamstring injury which is likely to keep him out until the New Year.

Referee Declan Bourne is in his fourth season as an EFL referee, last taking charge of a Sutton game in April 2022 when Bradford City were the visitors to the VBS.

Before the game a minute’s silence will be observed as a mark of respect to the innocent victims of the devastating attacks in Israel and Palestine this week. The EFL has issued a statement which can be found here and will be making a donation to the emergency appeal of the EFL’s charity partner the British Red Cross, to support the international response efforts aiding those in urgent need across the region. Anyone wishing also to donate can do so here.

As we are in the international break the game will be streamed live on our iFollow system in the UK as well as abroad, and a match pass for £10 can be bought here. 

Tickets for the game are available on the day, priced £21 for adults, £17 for ages 65+ and ages 14-24, and £5 for age 13 and under, who must be accompanied by a paying adult or senior. Wheelchair and ambulant disabled supporters pay the relevant price for their age with a carer admitted free. The away turnstiles are next to the Club Doncaster reception, from where any ordered but uncollected tickets can be collected.

The Supporters’ Club coach leaves at 7.15am.

For independent travellers who are driving, leave the M1 at junction 32 to join the M18, then leave the M18 at junction 3, the A6182. The ground is about a mile and a half along, behind the Lakeside Shopping Centre, and well signposted from the M18. Car parking is available and can be booked in advance here, price £5. The price on the day is £6, cash only.

By rail Doncaster is served by frequent trains from Kings Cross, taking just over an hour and a half. Bus 56 leaves the bus station, just by the railway station, every fifteen minutes, taking about twenty minutes, or if you prefer to walk turn right out of the station and then carry on along Trafford Way and White Rose Way, with the stadium complex on the left about half an hour from the station.