Rotherham United hit by injury and more illness in build-up to Boxing Day clash with Stoke City

Three more members of Matt Taylor’s squad have missed training this week because of the illness that has hit the Millers camp for a fortnight.

Another is sidelined after picking up a problem in last Saturday’s Championship clash at West Bromwich Albion.

“We had 15 outfield players training on Tuesday when we should have had 19,” Taylor said.

“The bug is still lingering. One of those three affected played on Saturday and was struggling through that game. We’re not out of the woods as yet.

“The majority of the squad have now had it. Some aren’t at their peak fitness levels because of it, through no fault of their own.”

Rotherham are hopeful the ill trio will recover for the Boxing Day match with Stoke City at AESSEAL New York Stadium but are less optimistic over the unnamed injured player.

“I don’t expect him to be back,” Taylor said. “We’ll assess that as the week goes on.”

Jamie McCart missed the trip to West Brom but isn’t one of the affected men. Like fellow central defender Richard Wood, he simply wasn’t selected for the squad.

“We wanted an aggressive attacking bench,” Taylor said. “We had only one centre-half among the substitutes and I went with Hally (Grant Hall) in that decision.

“Jamie is very much available and vying for a place on Boxing Day.”

Wing-back Peter Kioso continues to recover well from his ankle issue and was due to do some ball work yesterday with a view to re-joining the main group tomorrow or Saturday.

“Boxing Day might be a little bit too soon for him but we certainly hope he is back for the rest of the festive period,” Taylor said.