Could coach Scott Brown be the answer to Rotherham United's goalkeeper problems? And how close are Jordan Hugill, Ollie Rathbone and Tyler Blackett to paying against Bristol City?

SCOTT Brown isn't an option for Rotherham United as they decide how to tackle the goalkeeping crisis that has hit their Championship survival run-in.

With four matches left to play and safety within their grasp, the Millers have found themselves without a senior shot-stopper following injuries to number one Viktor Johansson and back-up Josh Vickers.

So far, attempts to make a seven-day emergency loan signing to cover Saturday's trip to Bristol City and next Thursday's home clash with Cardiff City have drawn a blank.

Thirty-seven-year-old Brown, the club's keeper coach, had a long playing career between the sticks but there is no chance of him featuring in either of those games.

Manager Matt Taylor revealed the club would have had to sign him as a free agent and that the deadline for that kind of deal has now passed.

If there is no loan signing and Johansson, in a race against time to recover from a shoulder issue doesn't make it, the club will turn to 21-year-old third-choice keeper Robbie Hemfrey, with the possibility of an academy youngster being on the bench.

“Robbie is next in line and we've got an under-18, Nat Ford, who can play as well," Taylor said today. "They're young and inexperienced. They haven't played enough football to play consistently in the Championship. We are in the process of looking to bring a goalkeeper into the club."

Hemfrey came on at half-time of Tuesday's 2-2 draw with leaders Burnley when Josh Vickers - who is facing an unspecified spell on the sidelines - damaged his groin while Ford was in the academy side that lost 2-0 in the Alliance Youth League Cup Final at MK Dons this evening.

Under EFL rules, Rotherham are restricted to bringing in a keeper from another Football League club.

"It's such a strange situation," Taylor said. "We're not able to go to Premier League sides or across the borders. We're so, so limited.

"Teams have so much to play for that managers don't want to let any important components of their squads go out at this stage of the season. We understand that. It doesn't help our cause at the moment or my sleep levels."

Meanwhile, the Millers hope to have striker Jordan Hugill, midfielder Ollie Rathbone and central defender Tyler Blackett available for the long journey to Ashton Gate.

Hugill had to be replaced at half-time against the Clarets because of illness, Rathbone is nursing a groin problem that saw him miss that game and Blackett didn't play because of a hamstring issue.

"Jordan has had a couple of days in bed at home and we will find out where he is at tomorrow," Taylor said. "He was certainly pretty rough on Tuesday and has also had this consistent knee niggle, but he has a chance for Saturday.

"Neither Ollie or Tyler have done any training as yet this week. Tyler was with the physio for a short period today. With Ollie, we'll find out when he does a bit of training tomorrow.

"He had reaction after 40 minutes at the weekend (against Luton Town). He's been in a bit of pain since then. We're giving him as much time as we possibly can. We'll make a sensible decision, like we did on Tuesday.

"Tyler has an outside chance if he can 'open up' (sprint and stretch) tomorrow. For the last few weeks, he's had some game-time, been off his feet and then we've tried to build him up going into the weekend."