Doncaster Rovers v MK Dons: Incoming Butler happy to be playing on familiar territory

BACK 'HOME': Sheffield United's Andy Butler, who has switched on loan to hometown club Doncaster Rovers.

The Sheffield United defender, who hails from Balby, has joined on loan until January 3 and has been assigned with adding some leadership and much-needed  experience to a back four which has produced some fitful performances of late.

Butler, 30, arrives at his second loan port of call this term, having already spent a temporary spell at former club Walsall after falling out of favour at the Blades.

Butler insists he has no axe to grind with his parent club and is purely concentrating on the here and now, with a move to Doncaster ticking all the right boxes for him.

Butler, who watched Rovers games when he was growing up from the former Popular Side at their old Belle Vue home, said: “I always thought it would be weird playing for my home team.

“Now I am here, I have got to do well or else I will probably get chased out of town.

“I have got a lot of text messages from my friends saying that they cannot believe I am now playing at my own (hometown) club. But I am excited about it.

“I used to come and watch when they used to give tickets away for a penny and I saw them when they were down at Conference level.

“I suppose it is a bit special as I am a Doncaster boy and I want to see Doncaster do well.”

Butler is also training as a referee which sees him officiate at junior matches in the Doncaster area and is expecting plenty of feedback from young Rovers fans in the coming weeks.

He added: “I am sure I will get a bit of stick on Sundays now, if I am not doing well, from a few fans. I hope I do well for Donny so I get a bit of praise off them rather than abuse.”

Fit-again forward Curtis Main has revealed he is ready to start for Rovers after finally getting over his injury problems and he is raring to go – if selected by manager Paul Dickov.

The former Middlesbrough forward said: “I just wanted to come and show people what I can do and have the opportunity to play football.

“Not being able to has been really frustrating, sitting on the sidelines watching games and wanting to be out there.

“It has been difficult, but I am back now and I have got to look forward.

“It is now just down to the manager whether he feels I look sharp enough now to get the nod from the start. I feel ready.”