An update on Rotherham United comeback centre-halves Thomas Holmes and Sean Raggett

The centre-halves, who are returning after knee and quad issues respectively, came off at half-time in the 7-2 Vertu Trophy rout of Salford City at the Peninsula Stadium on Tuesday night.

Tonge confirmed after the victory that put the League One Millers into Saturday's last-16 draw that the early withdrawals had been agreed in the build-up to the tie.

“They were designed substitutions,” the number two said. “Obviously, Thomas and Sean are just coming back. It was a first start for both of them.

“It was planned pre-game to look after those boys. Thankfully, they seem to have come through it fine.”

Loanee Holmes played for the first time since early September when he came on as a replacement at Reading on November 22 and he followed that up with another sub outing at home to Wycombe Wanderers last weekend.

Raggett, who was hit by a second bout of quad trouble in late October, was an unused sub against the Chairboys.

Both men face a battle to oust young Hamish Douglas who has impressed at the heart of a three-man backline in their absence as Rotherham have climbed into mid-table and to within four points of the play-off reckoning.

Rotherham could soon have nearly a full complement of centre-backs from which to choose as Zak Jules (hamstring) and Jamal Baptiste (hamstring tendon) are coming back into contention and should be available for the next league game - the visit of Blackpool next Wednesday.

The Millers struck seven times against City despite fielding no established frontman because of their number of absentees up front. Sam Nombe (quad), Martin Sherif (hamstring), Josh Kayode (knee) and loan man Kion Etete (quad) are all sidelined while Jordan Hugill was rested because of a swollen ankle.

“It's pleasing because, as we keep saying, we've got only one senior forward at the moment,” Tonge said.

“However, we know we can get goals from all over this team. I think that's been a message for the past few weeks – that the lads are going to have to step up because you can't rely on just one or two players.”

Rotherham – unbeaten in their last nine league outings – have a free weekend as the FA Cup second round is being staged and they are already out of the tournament, having been beaten 2-1 in extra time by Swindon Town.