DEAN Saunders’ departure as Doncaster Rovers boss will not affect Stevenage’s preparations as they host the South Yorkshire side tomorrow, (Saturday), according to Boro manager Gary Smith.

The former Welsh international departed the Keepmoat Stadium for Wolverhampton Wanderers on Monday, with the Rovers’ caretaker manager reins being handed to ex-Wales boss Brian Flynn.

Ahead of Boro’s npower League 1 clash against the joint leaders, Smith said: “It [Saunders’ exit] certainly won’t affect us, our preparations will be exactly the same.

“We try to do as much homework as possible on the teams that we play against and prepare physically as well as possible.

“What they do and how they react to the changes at the club will be well and truly felt in their own camp.

“As far as I know Rob Jones and Brian Flynn are going to be taking the team.

“The guys know exactly what’s been going on and given the run they’ve been on I shouldn’t think they’ll change an awful lot.”

Doncaster go into the game on a four-match unbeaten run, while Stevenage ended a three-game losing streak by getting back on track with a fine 2-1 win at Crewe Alexandra last weekend.

“On top of that they [Doncaster] have the best away record in the league and I’m sure they’ll be as confident as ever of going away from home and getting some points,” said Smith.

“For us it’s really about trying to reinforce what happened at the weekend, [it was] a good result, a good performance, [there is] much more confidence in the camp and to really bed that into the group would be ideal for us.”

The three points at Crewe gave everyone at the Hertfordshire club a boost.

“For all sorts of different reasons it was a terrific afternoon,” added Smith.

“The victory of course came more importantly than anything else, but the manner in which it was achieved galvanised everybody in a more positive fashion than we have seen in a little while.

“We’ve had a tough period, some difficult defeats, of course three on the spin before the Crewe game, which doesn’t leave anybody with a good taste in their mouth, but to play well and to put three points on the board was very pleasing.”