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Doncaster Rovers boss Grant McCann has explained why he made the “harsh” decision to substitute Manchester United loanee Ethan Ennis during the victory over Accrington Stanley, despite the fact he came off the bench in the second half.
Ennis joined Doncaster in January and will stay there until the rest of the season. He made the switch to the League Two club in search of regular first-team minutes.
The forward made his Doncaster debut in the FA Cup third round, coming on in the 84th minute of a dramatic penalty shootout win over Championship outfit Hull City.
Ennis has gone to feature an additional eight times for Doncaster, with four of these coming as starts. He was not part of the matchday squad that lost 2-1 to Grimsby Town two weeks ago as he was recovering from an injury sustained in the FA Cup meeting with Oliver Glasner’s Crystal Palace.
The United youngster was back on the bench for the subsequent match against Morecambe but did not get a taste of action. He returned to the pitch last weekend as Doncaster beat Accrington Stanley at Wham Stadium.
The 20-year-old was thrust into proceedings in the second half but did not finish the game, as he was withdrawn in the dying embers following Patrick Kelly’s red card.
Ennis was the sacrificial lamb with McCann taking him off and replacing the Carrington starlet with veteran defender Richard Wood. Doncaster managed to hold on for all three points.
The result left them second in League Two and eight points below table leaders Walsall.
Speaking after the game, McCann admitted that it must have been tough on Ennis to be replaced after coming on, although he insisted the winger understood why such a change was necessary.
McCann explained, “It was backs against the wall for a little bit towards the end and they were flinging balls in [to the box], adding centre-backs to the forward line.”
“So it was just an ideal opportunity to get Woody on for the last couple of minutes.”
“It was harsh on Ethan, but he understands.”
“He’s just come on, we go down to 10 men – an attacking player off and a defensive player on just to see the game out.”
Ennis and his teammates are back in action on Saturday when they host Newport County at the Eco-Power Stadium.
Featured image Ian MacNicol via Getty Images
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