Seasiders will make it tough: Warne

 The Seasiders have won four of their last five games, rattling in 14 goals in the process, and want to end their season with the scalp of one of the promotion contenders.

Millers manager Paul Warne will rest three or four of his players but won’t take too many liberties, given the strength of the opposition and his desire to go into the play-offs on the back of a good result.

“This match is going to be tough one, probably the toughest we have had in a few weeks,” he said.

“Blackpool are in form and they have all their big players fit and ready. They have pace and power up front and out wide and energy in the middle. I really like Sean Longstaff, the midfielder, and their back five are defending really well.

“I watched their game against Shrewsbury last week and I've spoken to Paul Hurst about them, they battered Shrews in the second half.

“Blackpool can play and I have no doubt they will cherish playing on our pitch.”

Joe Newell  has a sore groin and will sit out the match as a precaution but one player expected to get some game time is left-back Joe Mattock, now fit again from a hamstring injury.

However, Warne has been able to rely on a settled back four lately and doesn’t want to make too many alterations to his defence.

Michael Ihiekwe...part of a settled back four.

“As you see when I make substitutions, it is easier to change the dynamic players. What I don’t really want  is to change my centre-halves because, in fairness, matchdays are probably easier for them than training whereas it’s the other way around for the wide players. They get a lot of damage and what they do is about sprinting and power. Realistically they don’t need to play 90 minutes every game.

“There is more likelihood, the further you go up the pitch, the more changes I will make.”

A point will be enough to secure fourth spot and even if Rotherham were to lose, fifth-placed Scunthorpe would need a win and a five-goal swing on the day to take it from them. The Iron host Bradford tomorrow.

Charlton could still take fifth providing they win at relegation-threatened Rochdale and Scunthorpe are defeated.

As things stand, the Millers would have home advantage in the second leg of the play-off semi-final. The first leg is scheduled for next Saturday (12.30pm) and the second leg for Wednesday, May 16 (7.45pm).

Tomorrow’s game kicks off at 5.30pm.

Tickets for the home leg of the play-off semi-final are now on sale to season ticket holders and Millers Mayday members and go on general release at 9am on Bank Holiday Monday, when the ticket office will be open until 5pm.

Don't forget to catch today's Advertiser for in-depth coverage on Rotherham United and keep tabs on our Live Matchday Blog from late tomorrow afternoon.