One, two, three, four ... finally, Rotherham United's centre-back crisis could be about to ease
INJURY-HIT Rotherham United could be back to almost full strength in their centre-half department by early December, manager Matt Hamshaw has revealed.
The positive verdicts coming from the medical room are a huge boost to the boss who has guided the Millers from 23rd spot to 11th place in League One despite the club's double-figure casualty count.
Thomas Holmes is poised to head the list of returnees this weekend and he should be quickly followed by Jamal Baptiste, Sean Raggett and Zak Jules.
That would leave summer signing Lenny Agbaire – who is hoping to be playing again before Christmas – as the only absentee.
Loanee Holmes hasn't played because of a knee problem since a stunning debut in early September but is set to make the travelling party for Saturday's trip to Reading.
“Yeah, we're hoping so,“ Hamshaw said.
The 25-year-old has made a phased return to training, working out on his own and then taking part in some group sessions before a complete comeback yesterday.
“He's been in and around it with us,” Hamshaw said. “We just have to make sure that we do everything right. We are optimistic that he will be involved at the weekend but, as always, let's wait and see.
“It's great news. If we can get him back and keep him consistently fit and get him a run of games, then I think he'll be a massive player for us.”
Another loanee, Jamal Baptiste (hamstring tendon), is due back for the November 29 visit to AESSEAL New York Stadium of Wycombe Wanderers and Sean Raggett (quad) is also targeting that fixture.
Jules (hamstring) is in contention for the game after that, at home to Blackpool on December 10.
“It will be brilliant to have options,” Hamshaw said. “To have four centre-backs back would be amazing.”
For the last four matches, Rotherham have been relying on 20-year-old Hamish Douglas who has done a sterling job at the heart of a three-man backline, with the experienced Joe Rafferty and Reece James - both full-backs rather than centre-backs - performing equally as well either side of him.
A sudden spurt of attacking problems had dampened Hamshaw's mood and this week the Millers have been training with no fit centre-forwards.
Sam Nombe (quad) and Martin Sherif (hamstring) have just been ruled out for several weeks while Jordan Hugill's rolled ankle has made him a major doubt for the Reading contest.
Loanee Kion Etete (quad) was already facing an extended period on the sidelines and Josh Kayode (knee) has been out for two months and is having surgery.
“It's just frustrating with these forwards,” the boss said. “In three weeks, we'd have had virtually everybody available, and now we've had another backward step, which is really frustrating.”