Forward looking for Latics to continue positive start when they host Doncaster Rovers on Saturday.

Will Keane | “We are confident there is still a lot more to come”
Keane scored in Latics’ 4-1 victory over Saturday’s opponents Doncaster Rovers earlier this year
Keane: “We’ve managed to get a good few wins under our belt, but it’s been nice to freshen up, and we get ready to go again now.”

This weekend sees the return of Sky Bet League One action at the DW Stadium, as Doncaster Rovers make the trip on Saturday.

The game will be the first for Leam Richardson’s side in a fortnight due to the international break.

Speaking to Latics TV, forward Will Keane discussed how key the break has been so early in the season.

“It has been a good opportunity to get some training in here and there, regroup as a squad and assess where we’re up to,” he said.

“We’ve managed to get a good few wins under our belt, but it’s been nice to freshen up, and we get ready to go again now.”

Leam Richardson’s side sit fourth in the league, with only one defeat so far this season, and Keane feels that a good pre-season and hard work has contributed to the quick start he and his teammates have made.

“It’s something we expected - we wanted to start quick, and we had a really good pre-season. We feel like we have had a good start, but we are confident that there is still a lot more to come.

“We’ve had some good results so far, but there’s still room for improvement, and we’re looking to take that into Saturday.”

With the transfer window closing last Wednesday, Keane has seen several new faces come into the building in the last week.

Joe Bennett, Jason Kerr and Curtis Tilt signed ahead of the deadline, but Keane sees it as a good thing, as there is plenty of healthy competition for places amongst the squad.

“They’ve settled in really well. It’s been great to see some new faces, and I think you can see that we’re gathering a strong squad that’s going to be competitive.

“We touched on it ourselves [the competitiveness we have in the squad] in terms of fighting for places and when we’re in the team, doing everything we can to stay in it. That’s what you need, a healthy squad.

“Training has been really bright, and everyone has been working hard. The manager has touched on in recent weeks that they were hoping to get a few more faces through the door, and we’ve managed to do that, so it’s been pleasing for us all because that’s what we want to see.”

Last time out against Saturday’s visitors saw Keane get on the scoresheet at the Keepmoat, and with one already to his name this season, he is hoping he can add more come Saturday.

“It was nice to get that last-minute winner against Rotherham United, and I’m looking to build on that.

“I’ve had a few opportunities in recent games, and I’ve been unfortunate at times with hitting the woodwork and some good saves, but the main thing is I’m getting in the right areas, and I’m confident I will take the next one and add to what I’ve done.

“I had a good game against Doncaster last season so hopefully I can reproduce that on Saturday.”

A familiar face in Joe Dodoo will be back in old surroundings, with the forward signing for Rovers this week after leaving Latics in the summer, though Keane wishes his former strike partner nothing but the best.

“It was good to see Joe get sorted [this week], and I’m sure it’s been quite a long summer for him, but it’s pleasing to see and typical that his league debut will probably come against us, so I hope he’s a little rusty on Saturday!

“He made a really good impact last season, and I enjoyed playing with him, so I wish him all the best at Doncaster this season.”

Keane also reserved some special words for the Latics faithful ahead of Saturday and on the back of their magnificent support so far this season.

“It was a massive boost for us against Portsmouth, but every game we’ve had, the support has been great.

“We’ve seen that this season late in games where we have had a couple of late winners, which we’d like to think is not a coincidence, and it’s down to the hard work we’ve had and the fans pushing us on right until the end.

“Hopefully, they will be another big lift for us on Saturday, and we can get another three points in front of them.

Will Keane | “We are confident there is still a lot more to come”