Anxious wait for Rotherham United as player goes down with illness

ROTHERHAM United have a fitness doubt hanging over one of their key men as they gear up for Saturday's League One match of the day against MK Dons.
Paul WarnePaul Warne
Paul Warne

ROTHERHAM United have a fitness doubt hanging over one of their key men as they gear up for Saturday's League One match of the day against MK Dons.

Sickness has hit the Millers camp over the last week and a half and is affecting a particular member of Paul Warne's table-topping squad more severely than any other.

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The manager, who will be without centre-half Rarmani Edmond-Green and wing-back Mickel Miller for a clash that pits first place against third, didn't identify the player.

"He is been out ill and he hasn't trained today," Warne said. "I am hoping he will be part of the group tomorrow so he can play at the weekend.

"He is pivotal to our success. Honestly, at this stage I don't know if he will be available.

"We have had a bit of illness for around ten days. Everyone has been feeling sorry for themselves but hopefully come Saturday we will be through that and will be able to put out a vibrant group. It's not like I have only 11 fit players, it’s not that dramatic."

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Midfielder Dan Barlaser returns after missing the 0-0 midweek stalemate at Shrewsbury Town so he could be with partner Jade as she gave birth to the couple's first child - a boy they've named Emre - on Tuesday night.

"Everyone is happy and healthy and it will be good to have Dan back at the weekend," said Warne whose team have won eight and drawn two of their last ten league fixtures..

Edmonds-Green is in full training while Miller is scheduled to resume tomorrow but the boss says neither of the duo, who have been sidelined by hamstring injuries, will be considered for selection until next Wednesday's EFL Trophy semi-final at Hartlepool United.

After back-to-back long away trips to Plymouth Argyle and the Shrews, Rotherham are at home this Saturday against a Dons side unbeaten in eight outings.

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Victory would extended the Millers' advantage over the visitors to 13 points with only ten matches left and Warne said: "Winning wouldn't just give us a mathematical advantage, it would also give us a psychological one.

"We know it’s a big game because of where they are in the table. The points are worth a little bit more when you beat the teams around you.

“The lads know the importance of the match. They're up against a very good, well-coached side who are on a run almost as good as ours. We have to be at our very best to compete with them."