Charlton test will suit us: Warne

The Addicks have sprung back to life since Lee Bowyer was appointed as caretaker manager, inflicting a rare defeat on Plymouth and then walloping Northampton 4-0 three days ago.

Those results have propelled them back into the play-off mix. They're just a couple of points behind fifth-placed Scunthorpe with two games in hand.

While Rotherham have won only one of their last five, it was only a 98th minute leveller from Peterborough that denied them what would have been a deserved win at the AESSEAL New York Stadium on Friday.

Disappointed as he was with that, Warne was pleased not to surrender three points to one of the chasing pack and won’t want to give an advantage to another of the play-off hopefuls at The Valley this afternoon.

“If I’m truly honest I was quite pleased to get the Peterborough game out of the way,” said Warne. “I didn’t want to get embarrassed by Peterborough at home. I think a lot of fans would have hopefully left the ground happy with our performance.

“This game is one the lads will look forward to, these kind of matches suit our players.”

Paul Warne shares a moment with former NYS colleague and now Peterborough boss Steve Evans before Friday's game.

Warne is aware of the changes Bowyer has made at Charlton since succeeding Karl Robinson. He’s switched to a 4-4-2 and has given the players a little more freedom to express themselves. The “new manager” factor has also come into play.

The Millers chief explained: “Every time a manager goes in, the majority of the time there’s an effect because lads who have been on the periphery think they’ve  got a chance and the lads in the team know they have to fight hard to stay in it. There are no favourites so you get a bit of a honeymoon period.

“Charlton have a really good team and as a group they’ll feel that maybe they could have collected a few more points this season. When you play them and they’re on song, they’re a real threat.”

Warne had been planning to make a couple of changes to his starting 11 no matter what the result against Posh.

Hamstring injuries to Joe Mattock and Richie Towell means there will be enforced changes anyway. Mattock is expected to miss out today and Towell is also a doubt.

Don’t forget to follow developments at The Valley throughout the afternoon on our Live Matchday Blog, complete with the build-up, action, reaction and exclusive images.