Surgery concern: an update on Rotherham United's Jamie Jellis
“It’s Sod's law because he'd never really had an injury before.”
Rotherham United are still in the dark about the time frame of Jamie Jellis's absence as they wait to hear if the new boy will require surgery on his latest injury.
The midfielder joined the Millers in the summer with an impressive fitness record but has spent much of his time in the treatment room since his arrival.
He suffered a knee injury last week and the exact course of action to remedy it has yet to be decided.
"We have to see how his meniscus issue settles down before we take it to the next stage of what might be needed to repair it," said boss Alex Bruce yesterday afternoon. "We'll see how he it goes in the next week, ten days."
"Whether he has to have an operation, that's what we're waiting on."
There was initial talk of an absence of around three months, but that timescale could change.
The 25-year-old made 100 appearances in two seasons with Walsall before moving to AESSEAL New York Stadium as a free agent.
A calf issue sustained in just his second outing sidelined him for more than two months, and he managed only three more games before picking up his new problem in the last minute of the 2-2 home draw with Newport County on October 20.
"He's had a tough start," said Bruce. "He nicked his calf and now he's nicked his meniscus, which is Sod's law because he'd never really had an injury before.
"He'd never missed games. One of the main things about bringing him to this club was how many games he'd played for Walsall."
Another midfield man, Ossama Ashley, is continuing his rehabilitation from a foot problem. The 26-year-old is confined to indoor work at the Millers' Roundwood base and isn't close to a return.
"He's still a few weeks away," Bruce confirmed.
Rotherham are low on options in the centre of the park as they gear up for tomorrow's League Two clash at Swindon Town because they are also without Kian Spence who is beginning a three-match suspension for his dismissal in last weekend's 3-3 draw with Shrewsbury Town.
Meanwhile, Shrews player Kian McMahon-Brown has had his red card from that match rescinded following an appeal. The attacker was sent off late on at New York for pushing Joe Rafferty.