Rotherham United plan left-back signing in January

The Millers were intending to sign someone in that role anyway but their focus has been sharpened by the injury to first-choice Joe Mattock that will keep him out of Championship action until February.

Rotherham have been short of cover in that department following Clark Robertson’s foot operation and manager Paul Warne’s decision to view Trevor Clarke more as a left winger than a left-back.

“With the chairman’s permission, we are going to have to strengthen in a few areas in January,” Warne said. “That position is definitely one we will be looking at.”

Mattock was stretchered off at Coventry City on Saturday and becomes the fifth player on the Millers’ list of long-term casualties.

The 30-year-old saw a specialist on Tuesday in preparation for surgery taking place.

“He’s got severe damage to his ankle,” said Warne whose side are in Championship action at home to Bristol City on Saturday and at Blackburn Rovers next Wednesday. “He’s going to be out for two to three months.

“The initial signs are that he’s got ligament damage both sides and maybe even a bit of bone has come away.”

Mattock joins centre-half Robertson, winger Chiedozie Ogbene (knee), midfielder Shaun MacDonald (leg) and winger Kieran Sadlier (ankle) on the sidelines until the New Year.

“That’s nearly half of a team,” Warne said. “Every time my physio comes to see me with a sad face I’m like: ‘Please don’t tell me it’s more than ten days.’

“It’s bad news, that is for sure. We’ve been lucky with muscle injuries. We’ve had very few. We’re a fit group. But you can’t legislate for contact injuries.”