How Shane Ferguson struggled on to play his part in Rotherham United's survival success

SHANE Ferguson spent more than half the season playing through the pain barrier to help Rotherham United achieve their goal of Championship safety.

The winger managed to make 32 league appearances during the campaign despite having to nurse a groin injury for such a long spell.

“He’s had it for at least six months,” boss Matt Taylor said. “He’s had countless jabs and scans.

“We wanted him out on the pitch as much as possible because he’s the one player who puts the ball exactly where we want it.”

Ferguson, who has won nearly 60 caps for Northern Ireland, is out of contract in the summer and may have played his final match for the Millers whom he joined after leaving Millwall two years ago. His manager has yet to say whether he will be offered a new deal.

The 31-year-old missed the last-day fixture at Wigan Athletic, having being forced out of proceedings during the survival-securing win over Middlesbrough when his groin flared up again.

“We’ve tried to get to the bottom of it but there’s still clearly an issue there,” Taylor said. “Physically, it’s taken its toll on him.”