Fitness updates on a trio of Rotherham United missing men
ROTHERHAM United took Hamish Douglas out of the firing line at the weekend as they adopted a safety-first approach with their young defender.
The 21-year-old, who made his first-team breakthrough last season, is nursing a minor issue and wasn't risked at Matlock Town on Saturday.
“It's nothing too serious,” said head coach Alex Bruce. “Not playing him was more precautionary than anything else. He's just got a bit of a tight Achilles.”
Douglas, who had captained the side four days earlier at Emley, watched from the touchline at the Proctor Cars Stadium as a penalty from trialist striker earned the Millers a 1-1 draw in their third pre-season friendly.
It remains to be seen whether the centre-half is back in the squad for tomorrow's trip to National League North outfit Alfreton or is held back for the weekend's visit of Championship Sheffield United to AESSEAL New York Stadium.
He was withdrawn at the interval against Emley after feeling his Achilles during the first half.
Two of his teammates, full-backs Joe Rafferty and Denzel Hall, missed that clash and also the Matlock match with groin and hamstring tightness respectively but are close to returning
“We've not got many injuries,” said Bruce who is keen to add to the four signings the club have made so far this summer. The injuries that we've got are more precautionary stuff.
“Everyone knows the squad is not the biggest. It's just about erring on the side of caution with that. I don't want to risk people who are just carrying little niggles in case they turn into big, significant injuries.”
Speaking after the final whistle at Matlock, he added: “We're expecting to get the likes of Raffs and Denzel back available for the next week's fixtures.”