Bradley determined to play a part

The Welsh international has been hampered by injury problems and couldn’t really make his mark on the side despite being describe by former boss Ronnie Moore as “the next Stewart Talbot.” Talbot was a mainstay of Rotherham’s ride into the Championship ten years ago.

After a run of impressive performances in the reserve side under Andy Liddell, Bradley is getting his chance to impress in what has been a faltering Rotherham central midfield.

He has started all three matches under the new management regime so far, partnering temporary captain Danny Harrison.

The pair earned the plaudits after the magnificent 6-0 win over Lincoln, but after two home defeats in a week their roles may come under scrutiny.

Speaking after Saturday’s shock home defeat to Morecambe, he said: “It was of course a disappointing result. We made a few mistakes in the game and we can definitely play better than what we did.

“I’ve worked hard in the reserves to try and earn a place in the side and I was very disappointed to come off on Saturday (Bradley was substituted before the hour mark for Omar Daley). I think the guys wanted a little bit more pace on the wings so that’s why Omar was brought on.

“The boss has seen what I can do in the reserves so he has seen quite a lot of me over the last few months. He knows what I can potentially bring to the side.”

It could be argued that the 23-year-old has not quite lived up to expectations since the Millers fought off competition from Shrewsbury Town to sign him during the summer.

He didn’t put a good enough run of form together to be seriously considered for a regular first-team spot and was made available for loan in January after returning from a series of injury niggles.

But now, he has put those concerns behind him, and wants to keep fighting for a first team shirt-and a place in League One next year.

“It has been frustrating for me,” he added. “As a professional you want to be playing games all the time, but I have worked hard to earn a bit of a run of league starts here.

“We are only two points off the play-offs (now three after Accrington Stanley’s victory on Tuesday night), and we will keep working hard and hopefully results will soon turn in our favour.”