Jamie McCart injury time frame, and why Sean Raggett isn't playing for Rotherham United yet

The 27-year-old pulled his calf during the warm-up on Tuesday night and played no part in the 1-0 League One loss at Leyton Orient.

The 17th-placed Millers are also without the services of Sean Raggett and manager Steve Evans admitted to the Advertiser that he has no idea when the summer signing will be given the all-clear.

Describing league ever-present McCart as Rotherham's ‘player of the season so far’, the boss said: “He'll be weeks with an injury of that magnitude.”

Cameron Humphreys, who came under fire from Evans for missing a chance and then not marking Orient scorer Dan Happe at Brisbane Road, and Zak Jules, were paired together at the heart of the rearguard on Tuesday and are the likely partnership at home to Stevenage this weekend.

Having been initially named on the bench, Jules stepped up at short notice for his first league outing since his June arrival at AESSEAL New York Stadium.

The player has been battling with the death of his mother soon after his move north from Exeter City, his manager revealed.

“He has not played for two and a half months apart from in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy,” Evans said. “He's lost his mum, the kid's gone through turmoil.

“There's a lot going on in our camp that we don't want to share with the public. We keep it in-house.”

Another of the new boys, Raggett, has featured only three times this season because of issues with both of his knees.

The Millers thought he was on the verge of a comeback but it now appears that he will need to remain in the treatment room.

“Raggett, we haven't a clue,” Evans said. “He's had more scans. We have to be patient. You think he's going to be ready a week ago and he's not quite there.”

Rotherham are also missing Jonson Clarke-Harris because of a hamstring issue and the striker isn't expected to be back in the first-team frame until late next month.

“We're getting battered by it,” Evans said. “At the minute we're struggling to name an 18. But I'm not one to make excuses.”

The boss hinted that Humphreys would have been struggling for selection this Saturday had Raggett and McCart been available and divulged that the defender had shown his remorse after the final whistle in East London.

“He's come into the dressing room and apologised," Evans said.

The game marked the return of midfielder Liam Kelly who lasted for an hour after being out of action for six weeks with a groin complaint.