Probe number three into Rotherham United's injury woes

Rotherham United are investigating their continuing injury woes once again, but they aren't expecting to uncover any issues that are different to those at other clubs.

Head of football Steve McClaren was asked by the Advertiser this week about the crowded treatment room that has been a feature of the Millers' Roundwood training complex since long before he and head coach Alex Bruce were appointed in the summer.

He believes that one of the big causes involves the development of young players and he reckons it applies to teams throughout the country.

The Advertiser said to McClaren: 'Injuries have blighted this club for several seasons now. There have been too many too often for there not to be a problem somewhere. What do you put it down to?'

He replied: "I think it's a thing in football - there are more injuries in general now. I'd like to know the stats on that. In the old days when I was playing, we  didn't have the sports science that we've got now.

"We've got all the tools, all the equipment, plus all the data and all the analysis you could want on a person, and yet we're still getting injuries. I think it is a football problem, not just a problem here at this club.

"One of the key things is to make players robust from a very young age. That's a key word. I don't think we're producing robust footballers now. We're producing very good athletes who can run 100 metres extremely fast, but can they repeat that, as they need to do in a match and in training every day?

"It's something we are definitely looking into. Believe you me, every club from the Premier League down is looking at the same problem of more injuries being picked up than before."

A probe conducted by Matt Hamshaw during his year-long Rotherham managerial reign that ended in March showed up nothing untoward, and the club said in pre-season that they were checking their procedures for a second time.

For a short spell in the summer they were without a physiotherapist, but that shortcoming was addressed and they now have the respected Stuart Leake as their head of medical.

"What I wanted was a head physio and people underneath that, and we certainly got that," McClaren said.

"Stuart has come in. He's the busiest man in the club and he's doing a great job. We've got performance guys. Sometimes injuries can't be helped."

The Millers have lost attacker Fabio Tavares for the season and they are also without Ewan Otoo, Ossama Ashley and Jamie Jellis for the next few months.

Meanwhile, Bruce delivered his verdict on the debut of Brandon Williams following the full-back's first competitive outing in more than a year in the 3-3 League Two home draw with Shrewsbury Town last weekend.

The 25-year-old former Manchester United player has just signed a short-term deal after training with the Millers for more than three months and came on as a second-half substitute at AESSEAL New York Stadium.

"I thought he gave a couple of fouls away that were needless," the head coach said. "But I think we saw what he is - he's hungry for the challenge. He threw himself straight in the deep end.

"He's not played much football, and it was pleasing to see him out there. Getting that big-match feeling again will have been good for him. I'm sure he enjoyed it."