New hope over Rotherham United’s Tyler Blackett after injury

Rotherham United centre-back Tyler Blackett. Picture Jim Brailsford

ROTHERHAM United are crossing their fingers that Tyler Blackett will escape the need for surgery that would have kept him out of action until well into the New Year.

The defender suffered a severe hamstring tear just over a fortnight ago and it was initially feared it was as serious as the one sustained earlier in the season by his centre-half partner, Cameron Humphreys.

However, there is hope that the 29-year-old will avoid an operation and be back in first-team contention sooner than expected.

He was in London today to see a world-renowned specialist who will make the final decision.

“It's 50:50,” manager Matt Taylor told the Advertiser. “First impressions are he might not need surgery because of where the injury is on his hamstring.

“It's not as high up or as ‘tendon-based’ as Cam's. We're getting a second opinion. It would bring his recovery time frame down by a month; possibly four to six weeks.”

The boss, whose team are at home to Ipswich Town on Friday, warned that the player's return wouldn't be a quickfire one even if he doesn't go under the knife. “Tyler's still a long way off,” he said.