Here's when striker Tom Eaves could make his Championship bow for Rotherham United

The striker was hit by a calf injury in pre-season and had been ruled out until the end of September.

However, the 30-year-old’s problem turned out to be not as serious as first feared and he is now on the brink of launching his Millers career.

The club’s physiotherapy chief has told manager Paul Warne that the former Hull City man should be fit enough to be on the bench for Tuesday’s Championship clash at Preston North End if required.

“I’ve had a conversation with Gilps (Stephen Gilpin, head of performances and medical) who said: ‘Look, Gaffer, if you want to use him for 20 minutes on Tuesday you possibly can’.”

Eaves had been working out on the grass at the Roundwood training complex for the last fortnight.

“He’s looked great out there,” Warne said. “We’ve actually elongated his recovery because we’re so conscious of not re-injuring him. He’s done loads of work.”

The boss will see what happens this weekend against Reading before deciding his approach for the trip to Deepdale.

“If the squad get through Saturday’s game all right I might give Tom an extra couple of days’ training,” he said. “But, potentially, he will be available to play a part at Preston.

“That’s great news considering that not long ago we were looking at after the international break —which is more than six weeks away — before he came back. We’re very pleased.”

Another Rotherham centre-forward, Josh Kayode, is scheduled to train with the main group a week on Monday after five weeks on the sidelines with a hamstring pull.