Wigan Athletic loan Chris Kirkland to Doncaster Rovers

Kirkland won his lone England cap against Greece in August 2006

Doncaster Rovers have signed Wigan Athletic keeper Chris Kirkland on loan.

The once-capped ex-England custodian's loan spell at the Keepmoat Stadium is scheduled to last until January.

Subject to paperwork being completed and Rovers receiving Football League clearance, he is eligible to make his debut against Leeds on Friday night.

Kirkland, 30, will be Rovers' third man between the sticks this season, having started the campaign with Gary Woods, before Neil Sullivan took over.

Veteran Sullivan, now 41, has played in Rovers' last four matches, letting in just two goals in three games which have brought them seven points since Dean Saunders took charge.

But the new Rovers manager has now opted to bring in Kirkland, once the most expensive goalkeeper in British transfer history when he joined Liverpool from Coventry City for £6m at the age of 20 in 2001.

The 6ft 3in Leicester-born shot-stopper won eight England Under-21 caps before going on to become a regular member of the senior squad, making his debut as a second-half substitute against Greece in August 2006.

But Kirkland was unlucky with injury problems while at Anfield and, after half a season's loan with West Bromwich Albion, he signed in October 2006 for Wigan, where he has made 134 appearances, but has not featured since being stretchered off against Bolton in January, having since lost his place to Ali Al-Habsi.

Former Doncaster striker Graeme Jones, now the number two at the DW Stadium, was a prime mover in Kirkland's move from Wigan, who will assist with Kirkland's wages during his loan spell.