Warne praises squad strength ahead of Blackburn trip

ROTHERHAM United boss Paul Warne could be set to shuffle his pack for tomorrow night’s trip to Blackburn, despite Saturday’s impressive 5-1 thrashing of Oldham.

The Millers host Northampton four days after the trip to Ewood Park and Warne is mindful of keeping his squad fresh as the League One fixtures come thick and fast.

He told the Advertiser: “There’s the joy of football management. If I wasn’t the manager and the manager asked me my opinion I would say ‘I’d change that, change that and change that, you’ve got a great squad.’ 

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“However, I am the manager who has to sit there and tell certain players they aren’t playing, and their argument will be we have just won 5-1, they feel fit and want to play.

“I have to do what’s right for the team but I understand if they do have grievances if I make changes.”

However many changes Warne opts to make, he can be safe in the knowledge that the players coming in are up to the required standard.

The three substitutes Warne made in Saturday’s demolition of Oldham – Joe Newell, Anthony Forde and Jerry Yates – made three assists and scored two goals between them when they were introduced.

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Out of them all, Newell impressed the most with a jinking run to set up Forde’s goal that Warne compared with Diego Maradona after the game, and could be in line to return to the starting 11 tomorrow.

And it is the squad rotation that could bare fruit and help the Millers secure a positive result on the road for only the second time this season.

Warne added: “If I had an 11 and a back-up team who were below their ability, then if I could I would strap them up and send the 11 out every single game, but that isn’t what I’ve got.

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“I’m entitled to make a change wherever I like and if someone has a grievance with that then tough poo, because the back-up is decent and there’s no point in having a back-up if you don’t use them.

“If they don’t like it then unlucky.”

Winger Jon Taylor could miss the game with a knee problem but League One top scorer Kieffer Moore is expected to be passed fit despite a groin complaint.

Full back Shaun Cummings is once again available for selection following a spell on the sidelines with a hamstring injury but forward David Ball is still out.

You can follow all the action as it happens on our Matchday Live blog from Ewood Park.