Rotherham United and the walking wounded ahead of the crunch Cardiff City clash

DEFENDER Tyler Blackett is being assessed as Rotherham United gear up for the game that could clinch their Championship survival.

The former Manchester United centre-half, who signed as a free agent in early March, has been managing a hamstring issue and lasted only until the interval of yesterday's 2-1 stoppage-time loss at Bristol City.

He will be monitored by the club's medical staff in the build-up to Thursday's visit to AESSEAL New York Stadium of safety rivals Cardiff City.

If Rotherham, who have three matches left to play, win against the Bluebirds they will be all but mathematically guaranteed to hang on to their place in the second tier.

Right-back Lee Peltier, who has had hamstring and back trouble, and centre-back Cameron Humphreys (knee) are among a number of other players also receiving regular checks.

"Tyler was struggling a bit," manager Matt Taylor confirmed after the defeat at Ashton Gate. "I don't know how Cam Humphreys got through 90 minutes and Lee came off again.

"We are putting people on the pitch who have barely trained. It is what it is."

The Millers have had to fight against an extensive injury list all season and midfielder Ollie Rathbone, winger Shane Ferguson (both groin) and striker Jordan Hugill (knee) are also less than fully fit.

Cardiff will head to New York determined to see off Rotherham after their anger over the abandonment of the initial fixture late last month because of a freak rainstorm when they were leading 1-0.

"I will think long and hard about who I pick on Thursday because we have to be able to run - and run fast and hard," Taylor said.

Centre-half and captain Richard Wood, who has featured in the last three games after being out of favour since January, is a contender to start.

The Millers are in 19th spot, three points above the drop zone. Victory over the Bluebirds would leave them six clear of third-from-bottom Reading who would have to win their final two matches and make up a goal difference which is  inferior by nine to have any hope of leapfrogging Taylor's men.

Rotherham are at home to Middlesbrough next Monday and round off their campaign at basement club Wigan Athletic seven days later.