Injury update on Rotherham United teenager Harrison Duncan
The 18-year-old hasn’t played since last season
A Rotherham United prospect is closing in on a return from the injury that wrecked his chances of fighting for a first-team spot in the early stages of his pro career.
Teenager Harrison Duncan was struck down at the start of pre-season by a hamstring injury that has required specialist treatment in London.
It caused the centre-half to miss the entire summer programme of friendlies and kept him sidelined for the opening weeks of the new League Two campaign.
Happily, the 18-year-old's recovery is now almost complete and he had made the first steps to towards joining the main group at the club's Roundwood HQ
"He's just coming back to training," boss Alex Bruce said. "He's joined in a couple of times. I'm pleased to see him back fit. The sooner he can get training fully, the better.
"He isn't quite there yet. He's being dripped in and out. We just need to be careful with him. It'll be good to have him back."
Duncan became the Millers' youngest-ever start when he played in a 3-1 Vertu Trophy triumph over Newcastle United Under-21s in October 2024 at the age of 16 years 130 days.
A big, commanding figure despite his tender years, he went on to shine in the youth team and impressed last term when he appeared as substitute in the FA Cup against Swindon Town and against Leyton Orient in League One.
He signed his first professional contract this summer allowing with fellow academy graduates Dean Gardner and Cohen Lee.
Gardner has gone out on loan to non-league Matlock Town for a taste of men's football and Bruce has said he as a similar plan for Lee.
Duncan may follow the same path once he is ready for match action.
"Possibly, with the age that he's at, we'll send him out to give him some game time and some experience," said the head coach. "That's something we can look at."