 He was stretchered off after a collision with Johan Elmander in a 1–1 draw against Bolton Wanderers on 5 January 2011; Kirkland was in the Wigan squad due to Ali Al-Habsi's ineligibility to play against his parent club.Kirkland was going to join Cardiff City on emergency loan, in February 2011, as cover for goalkeeper Tom Heaton but the deal fell through after he picked up a virus.On 12 October 2011, Kirkland joined Championship Doncaster Rovers on loan until January after attracting interest from new manager Dean Saunders.