Concern over Jordan Hugill as injury leaves Rotherham United frontman looking "horrific"
STRIKER Jordan Hugill may have to be taken out of the Rotherham United firing line because of a broken nose.
Manager Matt Hamshaw described the 33-year-old's facial appearance as “horrific” as the player left the field in the 38th minute of Monday's League One loss at Blackpool following a clash of heads with opponent James Husband.
Hugill's nose was packed with bandages and still bleeding after the final whistle at Bloomfield Road and he’s a major doubt for the New Year's Day home encounter with Peterborough United.
“I don't know if he'll make that game,” Hamshaw said. “If you saw him walk off, he looked horrific. We'll just wait and see.”
Another centre-forward, top scorer Sam Nombe, is also facing a battle to be fit after missing the trip to the Tangerines with an “overstretched” hamstring suffered at Bolton Wanderers only two matches into his comeback following a six-game absence with a quad problem.
The issue isn't related to the hamstring issue that sidelined the six-goal hitman for two months earlier in the campaign.
The Millers have been treading carefully with their star centre-forward and had used him only as a substitute against Huddersfield Town on December 20 and Bolton Wanderers on Boxing Day.
“Sam's on the same page as we all are - the medical staff, myself," Hamshaw said. “He wants to play games, he wants to start, but we've tried to manage his minutes.
“If people see Sam on the bench, they always ask the question, why isn't starting? But I think you've seen the rationale behind it with this niggle.
“It's a different part on a different leg to last time. He could do that from minute one or minute 60. We've managed ‘Noms’ as well as we can do. We miss him when he's out.
Rotherham head into 2026 in the relegation zone and their manager is hoping to add to his strikeforce in January in a bid to spark a climb above their present 22nd spot.
“We'll fight and we'll battle and we'll scrap and I'll try to do whatever I can in the transfer window,” Hamshaw said. “It's going to be difficult. Let's wait and see.
“We haven't had Sam for the majority of the season. We need to strengthen in that area.”