New boost for Angus MacDonald as he steps up Rotherham United return bid

The centre-half, who hasn't played since last season, took part in a behind-closed-doors match at the club's training ground yesterday and showed no ill effects from his long lay-off.

He could be ready to join the Millers' push for League One promotion by the end of January.

"It looks really promising," said manager Paul Warne whose side are at home to Bolton Wanderers on New Year's Day. "We had an in-house game yesterday with 22 pros. Angus played three sets of 20 minutes."

After Saturday's Trotters clash, Rotherham have EFL Trophy and FA Cup fixtures before resuming league action on January 15.

"I've had a good, candid chat with Angus today about where we both see things going," Warne said. "The cup matches coming up might be a bit too soon.

"We could look to get game against a local team just to give him 90 minutes, which would help him feel confident in himself. I feel like we're edging nearer and that is great news."

MacDonald, aged 29, was a big player for Rotherham in the Championship last term before being sidelined by an unspecified condition.

Meanwhile, the table-topping Millers are Covid-free as they prepare for the visit of 15th-placed Bolton.

"We've got no issues at the moment," Warne said. "As you've seen at other clubs, though, once it's in, it's in. The staff are at the training-ground door every day with a flaming twig trying to keep it out!

"We test every day. Everyone was negative today and I'm hoping that will be the same again tomorrow so we can play on Saturday.

"There are no dramas on injuries either. I'm a bit concerned at how heavy the training pitches are. We've had a lot of rain. We've had to 'come off' the lads a little bit in training."

Bolton, among the early pace-setters in the third tier before slipping down the rankings, have been hit by coronavirus outbreaks and haven't played for three weeks.

"They have been training for four or five days now so I can’t seeing it having that much of an impact on them," Warne said.

"They had a really good start to the season and were in the top three. They’ve always been right in their games and have had the vast majority of the possession.

"I went to see them play against Sheffield Wednesday a few weeks ago and they were the better team even though they lost.

"There is no doubt that they are a very good League One side who will give it a right good go in the second half of the campaign."

Rotherham were 2-0 winners against Wanderers at the UniBol Stadium in September.