Warnock: 'Burnley will be our toughest test'

Burnley currently sit fourth in the Championship league table and are unbeaten in their last eight league games.

Warnock – who agreed a deal to take over at AESSEAL New York Stadium until the end of the campaign – has 15 games remaining to secure the Millers’ Championship status and a five point gap to make up on Bristol City who sit just outside the drop zone.

But Warnock says he knows what it will take if the Millers are to take anything away from Turf Moor tomorrow afternoon.

He said: “We have to be on top of our game to give them a game, we don’t want to go there just to make the numbers up. We want an opportunity to try and take some points, so we’ll have to be on the front-foot to come away with anything.

“I think this will be our toughest game between now and the end of the season, I do see these as the best side that are out there at the moment, and they have quality in every position.

“It’s a difficult task, but that’s why I’m here, that’s why I enjoy games like this.”

Warnock believes Burnley are under huge pressure to return to the Premier League at the first time of asking but is confident his side can get something from the game.

He said: “Teams like Burnley are under enormous pressure with the money that they have spent and the team they have, they want to go up.

“But it’s very tight up there so every game is important to them as well. We’re hoping we can put pressure on these top teams and we’ve got them all coming up in the next few games.

“As long as our players put in a shift for me – although results might not go according to plan between now and the end of the season – as long as everyone comes off the field knowing they couldn’t have given anymore, I’m happy with that.”

In terms of team selection, Warnock has changes to ponder.

Defensive duo Richard Wood and Joe Mattock both got sent off in the 0-0 draw with Birmingham last time out and will serve their one match suspensions tomorrow, while three new signings Jerome Thomas, Lloyd Doyley and Paddy Kenny could play some part.

Leon Best, Stephen Kelly and skipper Lee Frecklington remain injured but are getting closer to a return.

Warnock said: “Frecklington recovered from his original injury and then at the last minute slipped on the wet ground and got a little groin injury, so it’s nothing to do with his original injury.

“Kelly isn’t far away, he’s doing all the running but it’s just kicking with that foot, although he is weeks and weeks ahead of where he is supposed to be so we just have to be a little bit careful with him.

“Best has been training hard, I know Leon and he knows I’ve tried to sign him in the past. I would imagine he would be playing next week (for the reserves) at some stage and getting 90 minutes under his belt.”