ROTHERHAM United are trying to identify a mystery injury that is set to keep Shaun McWilliams out of the club's League One survival run-in period for an indefinite period.

The 27-year-old has been sidelined at different stages this season by hamstring, groin and calf problems and had to be replaced during the second half of last weekend's 1-0 loss at Huddersfield Town.

Assistant manager Dale Tonge revealed that the midfielder has been managing only minimal work at the Millers' Roundwood base as medical staff seek to pinpoint the source of his latest discomfort.

“It's still ongoing at the minute,” the number two admitted. “We're still trying to get to the bottom of it, if I'm entirely honest.

Rotherham United midfielder Shaun McWilliams. Picture: Jim Brailsford

placeholder image — Rotherham United midfielder Shaun McWilliams. Picture: Jim Brailsford

“Shaun's had a couple of issues. He's not really been training for the past few weeks. It's about trying to get to the bottom of it and making sure that he isn't right just for Saturdays but is ready for Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday.”

Tonge expects the former Northampton Town man, who has made 33 appearances this term, to sit out this weekend's home clash with Bolton Wanderers and was unable to offer any guidance on a comeback date as Rotherham begin the stretch of 11 fixtures that will decide their third-tier fate.

“We have no time frames,” he said.

Tonge, a former Rotherham player, is in his first season as a coach with the Millers following spells with Barnsley and Peterborough United in similar roles.

A battle against relegation wasn't what he was hoping for but he is still pleased to be working under manager Matt Hamshaw.

“It's great to be back,” he said. “It's just the fact that results haven't been great. You're always dictated to by results. You've got to take responsibility, you've got to have ownership of the position we're in.

“We understand where we are and the reasons why we're where we are. It's up to us, now, to galvanise each other as a group, as a staff, as players, as a club, and just make sure we're all moving in the right direction. Because if we're not, there's only one way we'll go. We want to end the season in a positive note.”

Drop-zone Rotherham face third-placed Wanderers at AESSEAL New York Stadium on Saturday in a 12.30pm kick-off as they reach the business end of their campaign.

“It's tough, it's really tough,” Tonge said. “We've got a group of games now where the opposition are some of the top teams in the league, then there's a spell where we've got teams in and around us and then we go back to the top teams again.

“Every match is going to be a test. It's up to us to put our own stamp on each game and make sure we come out with a positive result.”