First-team coach Sam Hird is “happy at Wanderers” despite links to the vacant managerial position at Doncaster Rovers.

Hird made 163 appearances for the Yorkshire club during a five-year spell at the Keepmoat Stadium during his playing career.

The 35-year-old worked alongside Ian Evatt at Barrow, helping the club win promotion from the National League, and the pair were reunited at the UniBol in the summer of 2021.

Former Crewe Alexandra boss David Artell and ex-Bristol Rovers and Mansfield chief Graham Coughlan are currently in the frame for the role, according to a report by Doncaster Free Press.

The likes of Nigel Adkins, Graham Alexander and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink have also been included in the bookies’ odds.

Doncaster announced their decision to part company with Gary McSheffrey with the club 12th in League Two. Assistant boss Steve Eyre has also left the club.

They suffered a 3-0 defeat against Carlisle United over the weekend, with Jack Stretton bagging a brace and Callum Guy also getting on the scoresheet.

An official statement read: “While results so far in Sky Bet League Two have been largely positive, there has been a growing concern over the standard of performances in matches and a lack of progress between games.

“We feel this is threatening our ability to achieve our stated goals for the season.

“We have also been disappointed that our wishes for a particular style of play and overall identity, which were clearly laid out over the summer, have not been brought into effect in competitive matches.

“These factors have combined to lead us to take this difficult decision to relieve Gary and Steve of their posts.

“We are confident the squad that has been assembled is more than capable of challenging for promotion with an entertaining and attacking approach, and have reached a consensus that change is required in order to ensure we have the best chance of doing so.

“The process of securing a replacement is already well underway and we are hopeful for a swift resolution to our recruitment process. We expect to conclude interviews this week with an appointment to be made soon afterwards.”