'Still time to impress' says Millers chief

The pre-season build-up concludes with a closed-doors friendly at Sunderland tonight, with the squad due to take it easier tomorrow before two days of work on the training ground ready for the big kick-off.

Jordan Bowery showed his determination to force his way into the manager's thoughts by coming on and scoring a late winner against Bundesliga side FSV Mainz at the AESSEAL New York Stadium on Saturday.

Evans said that was a lead others could follow and having promised that the line-up this weekend will be different from last, he has laid down an incentive for every single squad member. And with two of the new arrivals, Lewis Buxton and Joe Mattock from Sheffield Wednesday, both returning to fitness, competition is hotting up.

"There's still time for people to stake a claim," said Evans. "Jordan Bowery came on against Leicester last week and really affected the game and did the same against Mainz. We want people to have that mindset.

"Danny Ward will be keen to get back into action after his injury and remind people why he was one of our two main strikers towards the end of last season.

"There's still time for one or two people to prove a point and we're looking for a big week from Lewis Buxton to prove a point that he should start at right-back. And if he starts at right-back, where does Greg Halford, who has been playing there, move to? That's the type of competition we want."

Trailing to a 72nd minute goal, the Millers struck twice in the last ten minutes through Matt Derbyshire and Bowery to beat Mainz 2-1.