Ar'Jany Martha and tomorrow's Rotherham United derby
AR'JANY Martha may come back into Rotherham United contention this weekend after being dropped from the matchday 18 for the first time in his Millers career this week.
The Dutch-born attacker, who moved to AESSEAL New York Stadium from Belgian football in the summer, didn't make the squad for Tuesday's 1-0 loss at Burton Albion after suffering a dip in form.
But he could return to the reckoning for tomorrow's League One visit of derby rivals Doncaster Rovers as manager Matt Hamshaw seeks to be as attack-minded as possible in a bid to ease Rotherham United's relegation concerns.
"Just left out," said the boss when asked about Martha's absence at the Pirelli Stadium.
Hamshaw, a lifelong Millers fan, is hoping that the fact local bragging rights are at stake will bring out the competitive instincts in his men who are in 23rd spot after losing their last two matches.
"We've got two big Yorkshire derbies coming up - Saturday and then Bradford City on Tuesday night," he said. "There are going to be good atmospheres.
"As a player, they should be the games you want to play in. We need to stand up, we need to put on a show for our fans. We need to get a win for them and get some pride back into this badge.
"I am well aware how games like these are more important to supporters."
Victory against 18th-placed opposition - who have four victories and two draws from their last eight third-tier outings - would do much to lift spirits
"We're still confident in our own ability, we're confident that we can go out and give a really good performance and win the game," Hamshaw said. "I understand the position we're in, I understand a bit of doom and gloom around the club because of performances, but I'm really looking forward to the game."
Young Rovers striker Francis Okoronkwo, on loan from Premier League Everton, has missed five matches with a hamstring injury but may be declared fit for the clash.
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One to watch
Billy Sharp is still going strong at the age of 40 and had bagged 10 goals in 37 outings this season ahead of the home clash with Huddersfield Town two days ago. The veteran frontman - who has played in the Premier League and is the Championship's all-time record scorer - was a target for Rotherham during the reign of Matt Taylor in 2023 when he parted company with boyhood club Sheffield United. He has racked up more than 800 appearances in his long career.
Form guide
Millers: LDWWLL
Rovers: WLWLDW
Doncaster had a blank Saturday last weekend and then won 1-0 at home to Huddersfield Town on Tuesday.
In 92 matches between the clubs since 1923, Rotherham have won 45 times while Doncaster have 25 victories to their name.
Recent meetings
Aug 30 2025, League One: Rovers 1 Millers 0
Feb 1 2022, League One: Rovers 0 Millers 5
Mickel Miller, Ben Wiles, Chiedozie Ogbene, Dan Barlaser, Jamie Lindsay
Sep 7 2021, EFL Trophy: Rovers 0 Millers 6
Miller, Freddie Ladapo, Louis Jones og, Will Grigg, Jake Hull, Joe Mattock
Aug 28 2021, League One: Millers 2 Rovers 0
Michael Smith 2
Oct 8 2019, EFL Trophy: Millers 3 Rovers 2
Joe Wright og, Carlton Morris, Trevor Clarke
Sep 7 2019, League One: Rovers 2 Millers 1
Jake Hastie
Last clash
Rotherham were beaten 1-0 at the Eco-Power Stadium in late August by Vernon Bailey's 25th-minute header.
Opposition boss
Grant McCann is in his second spell in the Doncaster hot-seat and has been a success on both occasions. The former Peterborough United player took them to the League One play-offs in 2018/19 before managerial stints at Hull City and Posh. The Belfast-born 45-year-old returned in 2023, led Rovers to a top-six League Two finish and then guided them to promotion last term.
Man in the middle
Simon Mather refereed his first EFL match in 2021, after several seasons in the National League, and has taken charge of games in Leagues One and Two ever since. The Lancashire official's last experience of Rotherham came in late September when the Millers lost 2-1 to an added-time goal at Mansfield Town. This term, his 24 fixtures have seen him issue 79 yellow cards and no reds.
The odds
The bookmakers are finding little to separate the sides, with the Millers quoted at 7/4 to beat Rovers and a win for the visitors on offer at 27/20. A draw is 9/4.