How two Rotherham United players are helping each other through dark times

JOSH Kayode and Sean Morrison have become a treatment-room tag team in their long road back from identical surgery.

The Rotherham United pair have both suffered quad ruptures that required operations and are out for the season.

They are now going through their recovery together under the scrutiny of medical staff at the club’s Roundwood complex.

Striker Kayode suffered his setback while on loan at MK Dons less than a fortnight after centre-half January signing Morrison’s blow just two games into his Millers career.

Rotherham pushed for the former to return to South Yorkshire for his rehabilitation rather than remain with the Dons,.

Manager Matt Taylor saying: “The biggest reason for that is that ‘JJ’ is a week and a half behind Sean.

“It’s the same injury and same operation. He can almost mirror what Sean is doing just ten days later. That’s the sensible thing.”

The boss believes the duo will benefit from each other’s presence as they battle the demons of such an extended spell out of action.

“Mentally, it’s a dark place being injured in football, especially when you know you won’t get back at any stage in the campaign,” he said.

“Hopefully they can motivate each other. It’s not a common injury. For two players to rupture their quad so high up and need surgery is quite drastic and dramatic.

“No-one sees the hard work they go through. It’s the side of football people don’t really know about. It’s behind closed doors and it can be lonely. We’ll do whatever we can to support both players.”

Meanwhile, Ben Wiles saw a consultant in the capital last week to check on his progress after an ankle op.

“The specialist was really pleased with where he is at,” Taylor said. “His ankle needs a lot of strengthening work but the hope is that he’ll play a part again this season.”

The midfielder damaged ligaments in the 2-2 home draw with Stoke City on Boxing Day.