Josh Vickers injury scare, Freddie Ladapo Wembley boost, Chiedozie Ogbene and the summer and Tony Stewart on Sunday's Papa John's Trophy Final

GOALKEEPER Josh Vickers is an injury concern for Rotherham United as they gear up for Sunday’s Papa John’s Trophy Final at Wembley.
Josh VickersJosh Vickers
Josh Vickers

The in-form shot-stopper is nursing a hand complaint that isn’t healing as quickly as the Millers had anticipated and may have to be replaced by Viktor Johansson.

Centre-half Michael Ihiekwe hurt his ankle in training on Tuesday and is being monitored by the club’s medical staff.

Better news is that strikers Freddie Ladapo and Georgie Kelly are due to resume full training on Friday after quad and calf issues respectively and are expected to be part of the travelling party that heads to London on Saturday afternoon.

“We were hoping that Josh’s hand problem was going to fully settle down but it hasn’t yet,” Warne said.

“Icky went over on his ankle on Tuesday but Josh is the bigger doubt. It’s obviously not good to have a problem with your hand when you’re a goalkeeper.

“I suspect with Wembley being only a few days away Icky might recover in double-quick time! I don’t see him not being available.”

Midfielder Jamie Lindsay’s damaged shoulder has healed and he should be in the matchday 18. “He looks back to something like himself, which is great,” Warne said.

The return of 15-goal Ladapo, who has been out since early March, is a huge boost, as table-topping Rotherham’s League One form has stuttered in his absence.

He may not start at Wembley but could make an impact as a substitute.

“Freddie looks very fit,” Warne said. “He has done really well with his recovery. His attitude has been amazing.

“I’d like to think I’ll be able to select him for the squad. I don’t want to go to Wembley with just two strikers (Michael Smith and Josh Kayode) when we play with two.  I’m always up for an aggressive bench rather than a defensive one.”

Along with January signing Kelly, who has yet to make his debut, Ladapo was sprinting full out on Tuesday as the Millers, after four days away from their Roundwood base, began their preparations for the Papa John’s showdown with League Two Sutton United.

The players are off today before Roundwood sessions on Friday and Saturday as Warne’s sticks with the usual routine of a two-day training build-up to games.

Rotherham haven’t played since March 19 because of the international break and resume their league campaign next Saturday at home to Charlton Athletic.

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CHIEDOZIE Ogbene returns to Rotherham United tomorrow after his international starring role for the Republic of Ireland, with manager Paul Warne acknowledging the flying wing-back will be a wanted man in the summer.

The 24-year-old scored a stunning goal in last Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Belgium and was named Man of the Match before playing his part in a 1-0 win over Lithuania on Tuesday.

That has put him in the shop window and the Millers, who are at Wembley on Sunday in the Papa John’s Trophy Final, know they could lose him to a big bid at the end of the season.

“You can’t clip people’s wings, you can’t hold people back,” Warne said. “If Chieo ends up getting an amazing move that his ability deserves, then good on him.

“It obviously makes it significantly more difficult to convince him to stay when he’s doing what he is with Ireland.”

Ogbene moved to AESSEAL New York Stadium as a relative unknown from Brentford nearly three years ago and has blossomed under Rotherham’s care.

His contract is coming to an end but the Millers have an option to extend it by 12 months, meaning they can demand a substantial fee when clubs come calling rather than see him leave as a free agent.

They will also offer him significantly improved terms as they try to persuade him to sign a new deal with them.

“What a goal that was for Ireland!” Warne said. “Chieo’s having a great time, isn’t he? He loves to play with a smile on his face and having 50,000-plus Irish fans cheering him on won’t do him any harm.”

Ogbene said earlier this year he hasn’t ruled out remaining at New York and is leaving negotiations in the hands of his agent.

Rotherham’s chances of keeping him will be enhanced if they win promotion back to the Championship this season.

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CHAIRMAN Tony Stewart is tipping Rotherham United to pull off what he hopes will be the first part of a famous ‘double’ on Sunday.

The Millers top League One and could seal promotion in next month’s seven-game run-in.

But first up is this weekend’s Papa John’s Trophy Final at Wembley that pits Rotherham against League Two opposition in Sutton United.

“We aware that we can do the double.” said Stewart who celebrates 14 years at the helm of the club next month. “It’s step by step. Let’s get Wembley sorted out first.

“I know that Sutton have been watched by our manager and coaches. They are a good, attacking team. Against that, we have to say we’re potentially a Championship side.

“I’m hoping the players express that on the pitch and I would hope we can come away with the trophy.”

Wembley has become almost a second home for the Millers as Sunday will mark their fourth appearance there since 2010.

When asked which was his favourite visit, the chairman quipped: “The ones when we’ve won!”

He added: “The one that stands out is when we were 2-0 down to Leyton Orient at half-time in the 2014 League One Play-off Final and came back to win.

“I remember Sky TV asking at half-time if I’d say a few words and I said I’d speak at the end of the match.

“The Sky guy said: ‘Just for your knowledge, no-one has ever come back in a play-off final at Wembley from two goals down.’  We made history.

“Four trips in 12 years. That’s not a bad record, is it? There have been more Rotherham games at Wembley than leap years!”