Pop star to line up for Rovers reserves

Rovers fan Tomlinson, who is one fifth of the multi-million selling boyband, agreed a non-contract deal last summer as part of an ongoing association with the club in aid of Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice.

The Doncaster-born 22-year-old missed out on a planned appearance in September after being injured in a charity fixture. But he will pull on the red and white jersey when Rovers reserves take on Yorkshire rivals Rotherham in their last Final Third Development League game of the season.

The Keepmoat Stadium is anticipating an influx of ‘Directioners’, the collective name for the group’s fanatical followers, for the fixture, with some travelling from as far afield as Denmark, France and Italy.

It is not known whether Tomlinson, who picked up two Brit Awards with his 1D band-mates last week and boasts 15.5million Twitter followers, will start the match.

Rovers spokesman Shaun Lockwood said: “He’s met all the players, but I should probably say they’ve met him because there are certainly a few wives, girlfriends and daughters glad that he’s been around.”

“I suspect he’s probably more focused on his own career for the time being. But the manager has told Louis he’ll be keeping an eye on him though.”