Cameron Humphreys and Tyler Blackett ... the new time frame for the Rotherham United pair

Rotherham United's Cameron Humphreys plays against Preston North End before being injured in the Championship encounter at AESSEAL New York Stadium. Picture: Jim Brailsford

There had been initial hopes that Cameron Humphreys and Tyler Blackett may be available again at some stage in January after they suffered hamstring tears in quick succession to each other.

However, the damage has turned out to be so severe that surgery has been required in both cases and the length of the pair's absences is now expected to drag on much longer than the New Year.

“They're serious injuries,” said manager Matt Taylor. “They're as serious as you can get in relation to the hamstring muscle.”

When asked by the Advertiser when he thought they would be back in action, he replied: "It will be late on in the season. We hope they do play some part. We have to believe that they can still contribute."

The duo had become first-choice picks for the Millers and their loss is a serious blow to the club's chances of remaining in the second tier.

Their injuries were sustained less than a fortnight apart, with Humphreys pulling up against Preston North End on September 23 and Blackett limping out of the Bristol City contest on October 4.

A consolation is that they will be able to provide support for each other during their months in the treatment room.

“Tyler's situation is very similar to Cam's,” said Taylor. “We've got two good players who are almost going to hold hands and do their rehab together. It might help them through it.”