It's make-up time for Millers

The interim manager's future is expected to be clarified by a club statement in the middle of next week, before which come two searching home tests against play-off chasers Fulham on Saturday and Sheffield Wednesday three days later.

Although postponing relegation for as long as possible is the only realistic target for a Rotherham side cut adrift at the bottom, Warne wants the players to show some fight in the last eight games — and that includes making up for the 5-1 thrashing at QPR last time out.

He told the Advertiser: "At QPR we were OK first half but defensively very frail. In the second half we were really poor and unfortunately that game that was the legacy going into this international break. If it had been the Wolves match, where we lost narrowly, I would have been a lot more positive. We played well there and should have at least nicked a draw.

"I'm hoping that the Cardiff and Queens Park Rangers performances turn out to be the only bad ones this year and that the next two are really positive and that we can get a point or three in each of them."

Hampered by a long injury list in the recent weeks that has stripped him of around ten senior pros, Warne is at least seeing the situation ease and expects to have defender Darnell Fisher back available this weekend after two months out. Norwich City loan man Carlton Morris will also be pushing for a first start against Fulham.

Meanwhile, the Birmingham City match at the AESSEAL New York Stadium on Good Friday (3pm) has been designated a Kids for a Quid fixture. Tickets are now on sale, with more information available at www.themillers.co.uk