Saturday Match File ... Player-of-the-Year contender and a focus on Rotherham United's next opponents

Maybe young loan midfielder Dan Gore.

“He's definitely in the conversation, isn't he?” said the boss who is delighted that the Manchester United prospect is clear of a groin issue that sidelined him for a month.

The 21-year-old changed the game in the Millers' favour when he made his return as a half-time substitute during Tuesday's 2-1 League One over Northampton Town.

Now, he is in frame to be on the pitch from the kick-off at Exeter City tomorrow as Rotherham seek to build on a four-point haul from their last two matches after previously losing seven third-tier games in succession.

“No team can afford to lose their big players and Dan is certainly a big player for us," said Hamshaw.

The run of defeats has pushed the Millers into the bottom four after they had been on the edge of the play-off frame in early December.

But Gore's comeback gives them reason for optimism along with the presence of striker Sam Nombe who has shaken off a hamstring problem and is looking to continue his record this season of scoring at a rate of more than a goal every other game.

The latter has added incentive to do well as he will be playing against the club who sold him to Rotherham for a seven-figure fee in the summer of 2023.

“It's a big game for him,” Hamshaw said. “Knowing the kind of character he is, I'm sure he can't wait to put on a show.”

The Millers, who are making a near-500-mile round trip to the south west, face a tough test against an 11th-placed Grecians side who have won four and drawn two of their last six league matches.

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One to watch

Midfield man Ethan Brierley joined Exeter on loan from Premier League side Brentford in the summer and has racked up 31 appearances this season. Now aged 22, he began his career with hometown club Rochdale, making his debut in League One when he was 16. He joined Brentford for an undisclosed fee in 2023 and has yet to play in the top flight for them.

Form guide

Exeter: WDLWWD

After a 3-1 triumph at Port Vale last Saturday, the Grecians scored a last-gasp equaliser to draw 2-2 at Reading on Tuesday.

Millers: LLLLDW

Rotherham have won 15 and drawn ten of the 38 contests between the clubs since 1928.

Past meetings

Sep 6 2025, League One: Millers 1 Exeter 0

Denzel Hall

Mar 15 2025, League One: Millers 1 Exeter 1

Reece James

Aug 10 2024, League One: Exeter 1 Millers 0

Apr 9 2013, League Two: Millers 4 Exeter 1

Ben Pringle, Daniel Nardiello, Michael O'Connor, Craig Morgan

Nov 24 2012, League Two: Exeter 0 Millers 1

Ian Sharps

May 2 2009, League Two: Millers 0 Exeter 1

Nov 25 2008, League Two: Exeter 1 Millers 0

Reuben Reid

Jan 22 2000, Old Division Three: Millers 5 Exeter 0

Leo Fortune-West 2, Paul Warne 2, Brian Wilsterman

Last clash

Loan centre-half Thomas Holmes made a superb debut for Rotherham at AESSEAL New York Stadium after arriving in the closing stages of the summer transfer window and a 39th-minute Denzel Hall goal gave the home side a much-needed three points to end a run of seven matches without a win.

Opposition boss

Gary Caldwell took the Exeter job in 2022 - when Matt Taylor left to join Rotherham - and had previously managed Wigan Athletic - with whom he won the third-tier title in 2016 - Chesterfield and Partick Thistle. The Stirling-born 43-year-old was a centre-half who played for Hibernian, Celtic and Wigan and won 55 Scotland caps. He led Exeter to 14th place in League One in his first season, 13th in 2023/2024 and 16th last year.

Man in the middle

Paul Howard, from London, has been taking charge of League One and League Two matches since the 2020/21 campaign. Before that, he was a National League ref for two years. Saturday's fixture will be his second experience of the Millers - he refereed the same fixture last season. This term, his 12 games have brought 37 bookings and no dismissals.

The odds

The bookmakers favour Exeter, offering a home win at 10/11 and an away victory at 29/10. A draw is 11/5.