Update on Dan Barlaser after Rotherham United midfielder stretchered off

A stretcher for Dan Barlaser at Coventry. Picture by Trevor Price

Manager Paul Warne says it would be "a disaster" if the midfield playmaker is ruled out for any length of time and is desperately hoping the midfield playmaker's absence is a short one.

Barlaser, on loan from Newcastle United, suffered ankle damage and was carried away by medics in the second half of leaders Rotherham's 1-1 League One draw with the second-placed Sky Blues.

"He got a kick on one side, but the pain is on the other," Warne revealed following last night's thrilling showdown at St Andrew's.

"He is not in any pain or rolling around with gas and air or anything. The physios are hopeful it might not be too serious.

"If he is out, that is a disaster. He has been excellent and makes us tick. He is the quarter-back and is crucial in everything we do. In the first half, he was spraying balls out to Chieo (Ogbene) for fun."

When Warne left the dressing room to fulfil his press duties Barlaser was laying on a bench texting his mum to say he was okay and the boss added: "We are hopeful he will not be out for long."

The Millers recalled top scorer Freddie Ladapo to their starting line-up against City, with Kyle Vassell dropping to the bench, and the hitman responded with his 16th goal of the campaign to put them into a 23rd-minute lead.

"That doesn't mean that I don't like Vass and that I won't start Vass on Saturday (at home to MK Dons)," Warne said. "I'm not a rotator but maybe I have to look at freshening it up a bit because a few looked a bit tired tonight.

"At the moment, with the weather, it has not been easy to train. That is the same for every team and I am not boo-hooing. But we do need to get back to the training pitch and sharpen up a few."

Rotherham have 11 matches to play and will be looking for maximum points in their next three, against MK, away to Rochdale and at AESSEAL New York Stadium when Southend United are the visitors.

Meanwhile, centre-half Clark Robertson has been ruled out until the 2020/21 campaign after a date with a specialist in Nottingham on Monday confirmed a foot fracture.

"He's going to have to come off training," Warne said. "He isn't going to have to put his foot in a (protective) boot because the healing process has begun.

"Unfortunately, as I feared from day one, his season will be done."