"It won't happen" ... the boss responds to Nombe sale concern
MANAGER Matt Hamshaw reassured Rotherham United fans that top scorer Sam Nombe is going nowhere in the January transfer window after watching his side fight back for a vital League One win on Tuesday night.
The Millers came from behind to triumph 2-1 at home to fellow drop-zone side Northampton Town and move to within two points of safety.
The result ended a run of 11 third-tier matches without a victory and Hamshaw is adamant that seven-goal Nombe will remain at AESSEAL New York Stadium and play his part in the fight to stay up.
“Look, Sam is key to everything we do,” the boss said. “I don't for one minute think he's going to get sold. It won't happen.
“We're content. Sam's playing (after injury), he knows the situation, we get on really well. We've had a number of chats, he knows what the plan is.”
Hamshaw's comments came in response to a report in the north west that League One rivals Bolton Wanderers had made an enquiry about the 27-year-old and been quoted a fee of £2 million.
Before kick-off against the Cobblers, Rotherham, as a club, refuted that claim and the manager subsequently went further.
“Sam needs to be a part of everything that we're building and doing from now until the end of the season and to get some goals in,” he said.
“I know he'll be disappointed that he hasn't scored in his last two games, because that's the bar he's raised. I'm sure it won't be long before his next goal comes.”
Rotherham were a goal behind at the break following old boy Tom Eaves' 26th-minute strike, but then produced a stirring second-half display.
Seventeen-year-old Leeds United loanee Harry Gray headed home his first goal in senior football to restore parity on 58 minutes and new-boy substitute Emmanuel marked his debut with an 84th-minute match-winning header.
Both goals came from deliveries by Joe Powell
A relieved Hamshaw said: “I certainly didn't think that a win was going to come at half-time!”
Gray is too young to drink alcohol and the boss joked: “He'll have to celebrate with a Coke Zero!”
Sadly, victory came at a cost. Marvin Kaleta and Reece James had to leave the field with injuries and both face a race against time to make this weekend's long trip to Exeter City.
The former went to hospital to be checked out.
“With Reece, it's his ribs again,” Hamshaw said. “He got another knock in the rib area, so he's gone off to A&E.
“Marvin just got a kick on his ankle and it affected him. You saw that in his performance.
“We're hopeful they'll be back on Saturday but who knows?”