Rotherham United boss Paul Warne on his ten-men gesture in the derby win over Doncaster Rovers

The Millers were leading 5-0 at the Keepmoat Stadium in the 79th minute on Tuesday night and both sides had made all their substitutions when Rovers player Ben Close looked to be struggling with a hamstring issue.

Warne, up against former Oldham Athletic teammate Richie Wellens in the dugout, immediately offered to sacrifice one of his own men, Tolaji Bola, so that Doncaster could take off their player.

“He looked like he had a twinge in his hammy,” the Rotherham boss said. “I’m thinking: ‘If he does one more run he could be out for a period of time.’

“I just went over to Rich and said: ‘Look, Mate, if you want to take your lad off, I’ll take one of mine off. Bola was a bit ‘crampy’ but he was all right.”

The group-stage contest continued with both teams a man down and the Millers went on to win 6-0.

“I just thought there was no point them risking their player,” Warne added. “I just tried to do the decent thing really, I suppose.

“The game was probably even more exciting at ten-a-side.”