Matt Hamshaw's selection approach as Rotherham United prepare to do battle with Salford City in the Vertu Trophy
ROTHERHAM United manager Matt Hamshaw is planning to shake up his injury-hit squad when they bid for a place in the last 16 of the Vertu Trophy tomorrow night.
After qualifying from the group stages, the League One Millers head to Salford City from the division below in the first knockout phase of the tournament. Rotherham are going well in the third tier - they haven't tasted defeat in it since September 27 – and that competition remains their priority.
It means that Hamshaw will rest as many of his key players for the encounter against opposition who are in the play-off places at their own level.
“Look, I'm going to have to shuffle the squad around, there's no two ways about it,” the manager said. ”It's a game we want to win – of course, it is – but, at the same time, we're not going to not take any unnecessary risks. That would be really naive of me.”
Hamshaw may opt to give game time to some younger players like striker Josh Ayres, winger Kane Richardon and midfielder James Clarke while winger Jack Holmes - a regular substitute this season - is likely to start.
There might also be a place in the 11 for centre-half Thomas Holmes – in need to game time following two sub appearances in the league after his comeback from a knee issue – and another centre-back, Sean Raggett, who is finally free of quad trouble.
Hamshaw is poised to include some of his star performers in the travelling party in case he needs an injection of quality in the second half.
When he spoke of omitting some of his main men from the starting line-up, he stressed: “That doesn't mean to say that we're not going to have them on the bench and put them on to try to win the game.”
The Millers have a break coming up this weekend as it's the second round of the FA and return to action on Wednesday December 10 for an important league clash.
Hamshaw already has one eye on that contest at AESSEAL New York Stadium.
He said: “We have to realise the situation that we're in, plan and prepare accordingly and make sure that when Blackpool come here we've got every possible player available.”
Rotherham and Salford met at the Peninsula Stadium in the first round of the Carabao Cup in August when Rotherham triumphed in a penalty shoot-out following a 0-0 draw.