Joe Mattock adds to Rotherham United injury woe

Joe Mattock is hurt at Coventry. Picture by Jim Brailsford

DEFENDER Joe Mattock is to undergo an operation that will rule him out of Rotherham United's Championship campaign until February.

The left-back, who was stretchered off at Coventry City on Saturday, becomes the fifth player on the Millers' list of long-term injuries.

The 30-year-old is due to see a specialist today before the surgery takes place.

"He's got severe damage to his ankle," said manager Paul Warne whose team are in action at Watford tonight. "He's going to be out for two to three months.

"The initial signs are that he's got ligament damage both sides and maybe even a bit of bone has come away."

Mattock joins winger Chiedozie Ogbene (knee), centre-half Clark Robertson (foot), midfielder Shaun MacDonald (leg) and winger Kieran Sadlier (ankle) on the sidelines until the New Year.

"That's nearly half of a team," Warne said. "Every time my physio comes to see me with a sad face I'm like: 'Please don't tell me it's more than ten days.'

"It's bad news, that is for sure. We've been lucky with muscle injuries. We've had very few. We're a fit group. But you can't legislate for contact injuries."