After addressing the goalkeeper and centre-back situations, our Transfer Target Series now turns to the frontline – where Doncaster Rovers now face the challenge of replacing promotion hero Rob Street.
The Lincoln City loanee was vital last season, leading the line with tenacity and aggression. Netting 12 goals in 22 league appearances, Rob Street proved crucial in propelling Rovers to the finish line, scoring the two goals to seal Doncaster’s League Two title on the final day. His departure leaves a major gap – not just in goals, but in presence and pressing from the front.
Grant McCann now needs a new front man: someone who can stretch defences, hold up play, and deliver in the big moments. With League One demanding more quality and consistency, finding the right striker will be key to unlocking survival for the newly promoted side, or depending on who they recruit, perhaps even one better.
In this next piece, we’ll spotlight realistic forward options – from proven EFL scorers, to rising talents and smart free agent picks – who could lead the line at the Eco-Power next season.
Who steps into Street’s boots?
Joe Pigott
A familiar name to League One watchers, Joe Pigott is on the market after being released by Leyton Orient, and he represents a potentially valuable signing for Doncaster Rovers.
Pigott brings a strong physical presence that would mirror the attributes of Rob Street. His ability to hold up the ball, bring others into play, and battle defenders makes him a natural focal point in attack. His work ethic and pressing are also well aligned with Grant McCann’s style, making Pigott a solid tactical fit.
With proven League One pedigree, Pigott’s most impressive season came in 2020/21 with AFC Wimbledon, when he bagged 22 goals and five assists. He’s also no stranger to big moments, having helped secure Southend United’s promotion via the play-offs in 2015, scoring a crucial stoppage time equaliser, and again with AFC Wimbledon this season in their successful promotion campaign.
Although his output has dipped in recent seasons, McCann has built a reputation for rejuvenating attacking players, and a player like Pigott – who offers a blend of strength, experience, and aerial threat – could flourish under his guidance. At 31, he still has fuel in the tank, and as a free agent, he represents excellent value for a club that likes to spend smart.
Ryan Graydon
A bolder option comes in the form of Ryan Graydon, a rising EFL talent from Fleetwood Town. This deal, unfortunately this has an air of realism as he would require a fee, with Fleetwood Town activating the 12-month extension agreed within the Irishman’s contract. While Doncaster rarely splash the cash, the club’s recent promotion and resultant budget boost could make a transfer fee for Graydon feasible.
Graydon had a standout campaign last season, scoring 13 and assisting 7, while also completing 33 successful dribbles and creating 27 chances. His ability to beat defenders, stretch defences, and exceed his expected goals tally by nearly two shows a player growing into his prime. Interestingly, Graydon offers a slight bit more than other within this list, as he is versatile enough to play centrally or out wide – an attribute that would allow McCann to experiment tactically when required.
At 26, he is entering his peak years and would be a valuable long-term investment. His profile strongly mirrors Rob Street’s: aggressive pressing, direct running, and intelligent movement off the ball. Given McCann and Byrne’s strong recruitment links with Irish football, and Graydon’s Irish roots, this is a deal that makes sense both strategically and stylistically.
Kusini Yengi
One of the most exciting, if ambitious, names on this list is Kusini Yengi. Released by Portsmouth following a campaign in which he made a huge impact in limited minutes, Yengi is a high-risk, high-reward proposition.
The Australian international scored nine goals in just 855 minutes of League One football last season – an astonishing 0.95 goals-per-game ratio. He also recorded a shot accuracy of 52% and a passing accuracy of over 77%, underlining his efficiency in the final third. His brief yet effective contribution helped Portsmouth secure promotion to the Championship, with numbers even Rob Street would be proud of.
Yengi’s international pedigree adds further intrigue: six goals in 11 caps for the “Socceroos” since debuting in 2023. His movement in behind, physicality, and finishing ability closely resemble Rob Street’s style, making him a like-for-like replacement in terms of approach and threat.
While competition for his signature will be intense – both within the EFL and overseas – a move to Doncaster could appeal if he sees consistent minutes and a central role in McCann’s project. At 26, his best years lie ahead, and he could be a marquee signing if Rovers can pull it off.
Anton Dowds
Another shrewd option is Anton Dowds, who may be ready for a cross-border switch after a standout spell with Ayr United in the Scottish Championship. Dowds has notched 22 goals and 10 assists over the last two seasons, across just 42 games – a prolific record that speaks to his consistent output and all-around forward play.
What sets Dowds apart is his blend of physicality and creativity. He’s not just a goal scorer; he links play well, holds off defenders, and crafts chances for teammates—much like the role Joe Ironside situated in 2023/24. That said, Dowds could offer stronger competition for the number 9 shirt after Ironside’s underwhelming 2024/25 campaign, perhaps giving him enough of a nudge to get back to his excellent self.
However, one only real point of concern is his recent ACL injury, which has sidelined him since October. However, reports suggest that he’s back on track to return for pre-season, and if he regains full fitness, he could be a fantastic addition. At 28, a two-year deal with an optional third year would be both safe and potentially rewarding business.
Will Lankshear
Perhaps the most controversial but eye-catching option on this list is Will Lankshear, Tottenham Hotspur’s highly rated young forward. At just 20, Lankshear has already made a name for himself, making 3 senior appearances in the Premier League and 3 in the Europa League, even scoring against Turkish giants Galatasaray – albeit in a game that also saw him controversially sent off.
While his loan spell at West Brom in the Championship yielded no goals and just 347 minutes, it’s important to remember the leap in level he attempted. At youth level, he was lethal – scoring 32 goals and assisting 4 in just 35 appearances. His finishing, aerial prowess, and positional awareness mark him as a top prospect, and one that will look forward to an outstanding career ahead of him.
A loan move to Doncaster could suit all parties. It would offer Lankshear regular minutes in a competitive environment, while giving Rovers a potentially elite forward for the short term. Stylistically, he is almost uncannily similar to Rob Street – strong, aggressive, and composed in front of goal, he shares the same build, running patterns, and even techniques that Street displayed in his 6 months with Doncaster.
While the logistics may prove tricky, if McCann and the recruitment team can position Rovers as the ideal development destination for Lankshear, this could be one of the most exciting loan deals in recent club history.
With Rob Street’s departure leaving a major hole in both quality and personality, Doncaster’s striker search is as important as any this summer. Whether McCann opts for experience in Pigott, and Dowds, ranging abilities in Graydon and Yengi, or future potential in Lankshear, the next number nine at the Eco-Power must bring with him the expectation of goals and the determination needed to match League One’s tumultuous demands.
Finding the right fit could define not just the club’s survival, but its ambitions to go one better. Whoever steps into Street’s boots has big ones to fill, but with McCann at the helm, I am sure that the club’s future recruitment is in very capable hands.
