Davis says Doncaster will be one of the favourites for promotion.

Doncaster Rovers are one of the favourites for promotion from League Two this season after manager Darren Ferguson was able to retain the bulk of his squad.

Doncaster were surprisingly relegated from League One last season just 12 months after exiting the Championship and the experienced Ferguson will be settling for nothing less than promotion.

Crewe boss Steve Davis believes that this weekend’s opponents at Gresty Road will be major contender in the promotion race.

Steve told the club’s official web-site: “Doncaster’s aim will be to bounce back at the first time of asking. It will be a good test for us, like it was last season.

“Darren has added to the squad and has been able to retain the players he believes will see them challenge.

“They have started well but so have we. We probably deserve to have a few points more than we have and we have only lost one of three cup games, so there are some encouraging signs.

“Doncaster are a good side and have goals in the team with the likes of Coppinger and Williams and they have bought in Marquis, who is a threat as well. They are strong and we are aware of them having played them last season.

“We have been disappointed to have drawn our first two home games, so it would be the perfect time to get that first win and give the crowd a boost as well.”