Big test ahead, says Steve

And he adds: "If we come through it then I'll know how far away we are from being play-off contenders."

Rotherham, fresh from a five-game unbeaten run and starting to knit together as a quality unit, take on Aitor Karanka's Boro, currently fifth in the Championship but with realistic ambitions of a return to the top flight five years after they dropped down.

And Evans believes that going toe-to-toe with such a top-end side will prove how much the Millers have in their own locker.

"Middlesbrough are the first team this season who will provide a benchmark for us," he told the Advertiser.