Two out-of-contract Rovers players have put pen-to-paper on new deals.

Gareth Roberts and Sam Hird have both pledged their short-term future to Doncaster Rovers, after signing new deals with the Club.

Both defenders have penned new two-year deals with the Rovers following promotion to the Coca-Cola Championship.

Full back Gareth Roberts was an influential force in the Rovers' season last term. His ability to go forward was matched only by his uncompromising defensive ability, with the former Liverpool trainee also netting three goals; two of which were against Southend United in the two League games. The third was the winning goal in the 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest at the Keepmoat Stadium back in March. The former Welsh international made over 40 appearances for the Rovers last term and was without a doubt an unsung hero in the Rovers' promotion season.

Centre-half Sam Hird signed for his hometown club last summer following his release by Leeds United, where he started his career. Prior to joining the Rovers permanently, Hird had a successful loan spell at the Keepmoat. The start to his full Rovers career wasn't the best - unable to get into the side due to the experience of other centre-backs in the squad. This led to the young defender going on loan to Blundell Park, where he made 18 appearances for Grimsby Town in League Two. The experience paid off; upon his return to the Rovers, Sam was called into first-team action due to players' injuries and grabbed his opportunity with both hands. Hird started six games for the Rovers upon his return, showing a maturity in his performances beyond his years. His form led to a starting berth in the League One Play-Off Final against his former side Leeds, where he kept strikers Jermaine Beckford and Dougie Freedman at bay throughout the contest.

The new deals keep the players at Doncaster Rovers until 2010.