DONCASTER Rovers boss Dean Saunders will have fond memories of facing Crystal Palace when he brings his side to Selhurst Park on Saturday.

The Eagles were the former Liverpool and Aston Villa striker's first opponents as Rovers boss back in September, and he watched his side snatch a late deflected winner, somewhat against the run of play, to ensure he began life in the Keepmoat Stadium with a victory.

Yet while that game will perhaps warm his heart before tomorrow's trip south, it can hardly be an accurate guide to how the return leg will pan out as his Rovers now looks very different from last autumn, even if their league position remains perilous.

In a move that represents a first for English football, agent Willie McKay has been given total control over players coming and going at the club – bringing out-of-favour players in on loan or on free transfers from across Europe in a bid to put them in the "shop window" at Rovers. For his part McKay will keep a rather large slice of the profits, which he predicts will be significant.

El-Hadji Diouf, Pascal Chimbonda, Herita Ilunga and Chris Kirkland have already been on the Keepmoat conveyor belt, and McKay says that while they might not stay around for long there is no way a club the size of Doncaster could imagine bringing those players in unless through these circumstances.

"Take Herita Ilunga as an example," said McKay. "He's on £26,000 a week at West Ham, not getting a game and they can't get him a move. I called the joint-chairman David Sullivan and offered £1,000 a week to take Ilunga on loan. David laughed and said, "Make me a sensible offer", so I said, "OK, £500".

"Anyway, eventually we agree the deal on £2,000 a week and West Ham make up the rest of his wages. We take him at Doncaster, who are no threat to West Ham, and give him a shop window by playing every week.

"If he plays well and I get him a move, say to Turkey for £5m, then I'll reach an agreement with David Sullivan about the fee West Ham will receive, plus my commission, less his full £26,000-a-week salary for the period he was at Doncaster."

Quite what Saunders, who has publicly backed the move, really makes of this bizarre situation is anyone's guess, although it is unlikely he was too pleased to see top scorer Billy Sharp sold to Southampton.

Sharp, 25, who has overcome huge personal issues off the pitch this season, had been in superb form for Rovers, scoring 10 goals in 20 games before his deal to join the promotion hopefuls went through and made a huge impact in the first game against Palace as he came off the bench.

"Obviously I'm disappointed to lose my top scorer," said Saunders at the time. "Hopefully, one day, we'll be able to keep our better players.

"I wish him all the best, he's been brilliant for the club and for me. We have to move on now and the rest of the players in the squad should see this as an opportunity to step up."

Doncaster fans could become used to saying goodbye to their best players – while Eagles supporters will hope their visitors' band of mercenaries have an off day tomorrow.