A very encouraging fitness update on Rotherham United missing man Jamie Jellis

New boy Jamie Jellis is poised to make his return this weekend after spending the early weeks of his Rotherham United career in the treatment room.

The summer signing impressed in pre-season outings and in the League Two opening-day clash at Cheltenham Town before being sidelined by a calf complaint.

His seven-week absence is coming to an end, and, barring any late hitches, he is likely to be named in the squad for Saturday's match at Exeter City.

"Jamie's close," said boss Alex Bruce. "That's a bright note."

The availability of the former Walsall midfielder is a boost for the injury-hit 13th-placed Millers in their bid to continue their climb up the table.

Forwards Fabio Tavares, George Sebine and Klaidi Lolos are out of action along with defenders Lenny Agbaire and Ewan Otoo while midfielder Brandon Cover is away on international duty with Jamaica.

Jellis, aged 25, resumed training before last weekend and has taken part in group sessions at Roundwood this week.

"We're hoping he's okay for the Exeter game," Bruce said. "He's been out for a good period, so I've got to box clever with him a little bit. We'll see how he is in training. He has a chance of making the 18."

There had been a possibility that the trip to the south west might be postponed because of international call-ups but, in the end, not enough players were summoned for duty by their country for that to be a consideration

Rotherham are looking for a second successive away win, against 21st-placed opposition, following their 1-0 triumph at Northampton Town on September 19.

They will be without Cover who was an unused substitute for Jamaica in a 3-2 Concacaf National League home win over Guatemala and then started the 1-0 away loss against Honduras in the same competition on Tuesday. The Reggae Boyz have two more fixtures before he can fly back to England.

Meanwhile, former Manchester United left-back Brandon Williams has continued to train with the Millers this week even though the 26-year-old isn't in line for a deal at AESSEAL New York Stadium. The free agent spent virtually all summer on trial with the club

Bruce said on September 15 that the arrival of centre-half Dominic Iorfa had concluded Rotherham's recruitment business until the January transfer window.

First-year pro Harrison Duncan made his return from a hamstring problem for the reserves today as a below-strength side featuring a number of under-18 players fell to a 5-0 defeat at Derby County in their first Central League contest.