Jordan Hugill, the damaged ankle and the prospects of him playing for Rotherham United on Saturday
ROTHERHAM United frontman Jordan Hugill is poised to battle through the pain of an ankle injury to lead the line against Wycombe Wanderers this weekend.
The 33-year-old is the only striker available to manager Matt Hamshaw and managed to play until half-time at Reading last Saturday despite his damaged joint.
“Touch wood, he's okay,” the boss said. “We've got him in a bag of ice. People will have seen the photograph that was put out by the club.
“I just want fans to know what he is putting his body through. He's a soldier and he's battling hard for the team and club. That's what I want from all of my players, and he's doing that.”
The social-media picture Hamshaw was referring to shows just how swollen and bruised Hugill's ankle is.
The Millers are keeping him away from any arduous work in a bid to make sure he can take to the pitch for a clash that pits two of League One's form teams against each other at AESSEAL New York Stadium.
“He probably won't be able to train this week,” Hamshaw said. “But he didn't train last week either. We've just got to manage him.”
Rotherham are hoping that Hugill comes through the contest before being given an extended spell to recover.
He is unlikely to be involved in next Tuesday's Vertu Trophy tie at League Salford, and the squad then have a free weekend, when the FA Cup second round takes place, before returning to action on Wednesday December 10 at home to Blackpool.
“Luckily, we've got this break after Saturday,” Hamshaw said. “I'll probably not take any risks with Jordan in the Trophy game, then we'll rest him up so that he's ready for Blackpool and Plymouth Argyle (December 13, away). Then we go into the run of Christmas games, which is going to be brutal.”