Team news: Rotherham United boosted by trio of fitness verdicts
ROTHERHAM United are set to be strengthened by the return of two first-team regulars as they bid to bring an end to their League One losing streak this weekend.
The Millers, who are on a run of seven straight third-tier losses, expect to welcome back midfielder Joe Powell and attacker Ar'Jany Martha to their squad for Saturday's home clash with AFC Wimbledon.
They have received a further boost with confirmation that the issue wing-back Marvin Kaleta suffered at Stockport County five days ago was only cramp and he, too, will be available for selection.
“We're hopeful on Powelly and Ar'Jany,” said manager Matt Hamshaw who is delighted to see the club's well-documented injury problems finally starting to ease.
Kaleta made his comeback from a hamstring problem at Stockport and was showing signs of discomfort when he was taken off in the 68th minute.
“Marvin's fine,” Hamshaw said. “I'm asking these lads who are returning from injury to train for a week and then come into a League One campaign where it's blood and guts and they're giving their all. Sometimes you're going to get little bits of cramp.
“You're going to have limited minutes - and we might have to do that with some players this weekend. But, at the same time, I need to make sure that we're putting out the strongest possible team to attack the game on Saturday and get this run of results off our back.”
Seven losses is Rotherham's worst sequence of results at this level in their history.
“We haven't helped ourselves in certain games, but at other times we've been unlucky and it's been marginal things,” Hamshaw said. “It's up to us to try to put it right, be positive and get a win this weekend.”
The match may come too soon for midfielder Dan Gore (groin) while young centre-half Hamish Douglas (Achilles) isn't yet ready to play. Loan striker Harry Gray is in line for an AESSEAL New York Stadium bow following his loan switch from Premier League Leeds United.
The teenager has been praised by a teammate at Elland Road - top scorer Dominic Calvert-Lewin - for wanting to test himself in senior football at such a tender age.
“I tell you what, Harry's ahead of where I was at 17,” the centre-forward said. “My advice to any young player is go out and get experience - go and play men's football, go and compete for three points and feel what it's like when people are playing to put food on the table. Academy football can't give you that.”
Twenty-eight-year-old Calvert-Lewin, who had loans at Stalybridge and Northampton Town when he was a teen prospect with Sheffield United, added: “Credit to him, you know, he's made that choice, and I'm wishing him all the best. I hope he goes and thrives there.”
Meanwhile, young striker Josh Ayres has joined National League North Alfreton Town on loan.
The 20-year-old has scored twice in nine Millers appearances this term, with both goals coming in the Vertu Trophy.
With Gray already in the building and another frontman likely to be signed in the January window, Rotherham were prepared to let him leave rather than see his first-team opportunities become limited.
They have the option to recall him after a month.