An injury update and potential time frame for Rotherham United missing man Josh Benson
SUMMER signing Josh Benson remains “weeks away” from a Rotherham United comeback as he wrestles with the latest problem in his injury-hit career.
The midfielder has impressed in a Millers shirt when he's been available but has been out since early December with a calf issue.
Manager Matt Hamshaw is optimistic of a return late next month for the former Barnsley man. However, he admitted that the 26-year-old's period on the sidelines could stretch beyond that.
“Josh is progressing quite nicely,” the boss said. “We've missed him. He's got a bit of guile, a bit of something different.
“I'm hopeful he'll be back before the end of February, which would be quicker than we anticipated, but he's still weeks away.”
Benson had scored five goals and demonstrated his set-piece prowess in 15 outings when he damaged the soleus muscle in his calf during the December 10 League One home clash with Blackpool.
No-one was around him when he went down clutching his calf and had to be replaced in the 49th minute.
His time in the treatment room has coincided with a run of eight straight defeats for Rotherham who have slipped from the fringes of the play-off race to the drop zone in his absence.
The Essex-born playmaker started out in Arsenal's youth ranks and then played in the Premier League with Burnley before a seven-figure move to Barnsley.
In four years at Oakwell, he managed only 95 appearances because of his chequered fitness record and the Millers signed him on a one-year
deal in July following a pre-season trial.
They will tread carefully with a creative talent who would be playing at a higher level than the third tier if his body hadn't been so susceptible to breaking down in the past.
“I don't want to rush him,” Hamshaw said. “He's, obviously, had injuries previously, which we knew about, and I think we've done a good job of getting him out there on the pitch. We need him back.”
Meanwhile, former AESSEAL New York Stadium loanee Kion Etete has joined a new club.
The striker failed to score in 14 games in an injury-affected spell and Rotherham sent him back to parent club Cardiff City earlier in the January transfer window.
The 24-year-old, who has a contract with the Bluebirds until the end of next season, will now spend the rest of the present campaign with Scottish Premiership side St Mirren.