Rotherham United bench duty could be over for super Sam Nombe
LEADING scorer Sam Nombe is set to go into Rotherham United's starting line-up tomorrow after proving his fitness with a goal on his return from injury last week.
The striker, who had been sidelined with a hamstring issue, came off the bench at Stockport County and hit the target within 15 minutes of his half-time introduction.
Now, the hitman who has bagged seven goals in only 11 outings this season, is expected to be in the side from kick-off when AFC Wimbledon come calling at AESSEAL New York Stadium.
“Every time he plays, he scores, doesn't he?” said admiring boss Matt Hamshaw. “The team is miles better with Sam Nombe in it.”
Nombe has suffered a trio of injury absences this term but on all three occasions he has quickly found his scoring touch when he has left the treatment room.
“He's a really top player who we're lucky to have at this club,” Hamshaw said. "It always helps when you have somebody like Sam - someone who can get a goal out or nothing and who also works so hard for the team.”
The drop-zone Millers are bidding to end a run of eight successive defeats and come up against opposition who have fallen away from early-season play-off contention and are in 17th spot in League One.
Rotherham are likely to give a first home start to centre-forward loan signing Harry Gray while Wimbledon - who won promotion from the fourth tier last term - could have two new loanees of their own in their squad - Luton Town midfielder Zack Nelson and Wycombe Wanderers attacker James Tilley.
“I'm a big fan of their manager, Johnnie Jackson,” said Hamshaw. “I played with him at England youth level, so he's an old friend. It'll be nice to see him.
“He's done an amazing job there, getting him out of League Two. I think he's built something. He's done a little bit in the transfer window in the last few days.
“We have to be on the front foot, we have to be fully engaged. If we do the things that we can do, we shouldn't be scared of anybody.”