James Collins joined Doncaster Rovers on the last day of the transfer window in a loan move until January, which is designed to give him an opportunity to play regular football before his future is reassessed by Lincoln City during the winter transfer window. The 35-year-old striker, an Irish international with 14 caps and two goals, has not played in 2026 after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament last December but is now in the final stages of his rehabilitation. Doncaster manager Grant McCann described Collins as being a top signing and an experienced leader. Lincoln's sporting director Jez George stated that the loan had been arranged with consideration for Collins’ longer-term interests, explaining that while the club had extended the player's contract until 2027, they could not guarantee him playing opportunities before January due to Championship squad registration rules. This arrangement gives Collins the best opportunity to get back to starting games so that his situation can be re-evaluated in January. His current Transfermarkt market value is €100k.