David McCracken joined Rovers on loan from Brentford in January 2011 by short-lived manager Dave Penney, who was looking to add some depth to the squad at a time they were struggling for results. He was initially brought in for a one-month spell to cover for the suspended Danny Coles in the centre-back position, but shortly before the close of the January transfer window the deal was extended to the end of the 2010–11 season, although injury and suspension kept him out of the squad for much of this spell. He eventually went on to make 10 appearances comprising of five starts and five from the bench before returning to his parent club.