Following an exceptional season on loan to Doncaster Rovers from Premier League side Manchester City, centre half Matthew Mills has certainly become a valued member of the Rovers team and played a crucial part in the side's promotion to the Coca-Cola Championship.

Rovers boss Sean O'Driscoll is now keen to add the 21-year old to his squad on a permanent basis - however Sean now has to monitor the situation closely regarding a deal for Mills.

The defender is undergoing surgery on his knee this summer, with Manchester City recently appointing a new manager in former Blackburn boss Mark Hughes.

"Matt Mills has got an ongoing problem with his knee, which is obviously down to Manchester City to assist him with. Hopefully that will go along smoothly, so then we can hopefully move his potential transfer along."

"Ever since we have had him on loan, we have been talking to Manchester City and been made aware of what the situation was or is. To be fair to Manchester City, they haven't changed - Mark Hughes going in as manager may alter the situation - but Manchester City have been constant in what they have asked for and Matt came here to put himself in the shop window and he has done that successfully. We got the best out of him and he has enhanced his reputation."

"There'll be a few other clubs interested in Matt, but he has got an ongoing problem with his knee and he needs to sort that out before we can move that on."

Mills (far right) celebrates with the Rovers following promotion

Despite spending the season with the Rovers, Sean states that supporters shouldn't assume that Mills will automatically go for the team he has become a part of; however the man who also had a younger Matt Mills on loan whilst manager at Bournemouth believes that a permanent stay at Doncaster would be good move for the player.

"Paul Green was here for 15 years and he left this summer, so we will have to see. Money talks and it is a short career for a footballer. We don't want to get into an auction with people. We will need to speak to Manchester City, have an offer accepted and then speak to the boy. We would arguably get the better out of him; we know him and I think we know what buttons to press, I think he understands that as well. He's young and I think that a couple of seasons in the Championship will do better for him in his career rather than try somewhere else and have to settle in again. You can make the point to him and Matt and his representatives are sensible enough to know what is best for his career."

Meanwhile, all but one of the Rovers players have had surgery on their respective injuries.

"Richie Wellens is the only player left to be operated on; he's been away on holiday and is in for his hernia operation when he gets back. Jason Price has had an ankle clear-out operation and Adam Lockwood and Mark Wilson have both had hernia surgery."