Cafu is out of action with an injury ... but Rotherham United manager Matt Taylor gives the Advertiser an encouraging update

Rotherham United playmaker Cafu in action earlier in the season at Stoke City. Picture: Jim Brailsford

KEY man Cafu is already back running as he bids to make a quickfire return from the hamstring issue that ruled him out Rotherham United's loss at Huddersfield Town yesterday.

The playmaker was a big miss as the Millers lost the Championship Yorkshire derby 2-0 at the John Smith's Stadium and manager Matt Taylor is relieved that the Portuguese's absence should be only a short one.

The 30-year-old is set to sit out Wednesday's trip to Millwall and Saturday's visit of leaders Preston North End, although there is an outside chance he could be available for the Lilywhites clash.

"He has been out on the grass jogging today," Taylor told the Advertiser after the reverse in West Yorkshire had seen his side slip a place to 21st in the table

"For him to go from a jog into a sprint in two or three days ... Millwall could come round too quickly for that. Then the weekend is a race against time."

A more realistic date for his comeback is the September 30 trip to Cardiff City.

Cafu has been a revelation for Rotherham since he signed in the summer and he is a player they can ill afford to be without as they seek to build on last season's second-tier survival.

Despite experiencing a touch of discomfort last Monday, he was able to continue training until a precautionary scan revealed slight damage.

"He just felt something in a drill," Taylor said. "We didn't think too much of it but there is a little bit of tightness in there."

When asked if the problem could be a long-term one, the boss replied: "Certainly not. The fact that 'Caf' carried on training suggests he can be involved in some capacity very soon, although the niggle is enough to probably rule him out for Wednesday."