The new timescale for Ewan Otoo's Rotherham United return
"They both started the season quite well. It's a bit of a blow to us."
Ewan Otoo won't wear a Rotherham United shirt again until 2027, boss Alex Bruce has confirmed.
The utility man suffered thigh damage in a Jersey Mike's Trophy clash last month and the initial hope was that he would be back in action before the Christmas schedule.
However, the injury has turned out to be more severe than first thought and the Millers have extended the time frame for the summer signing's return.
"It's going to drag into the new year," Bruce said.
Otoo is proving to be a big miss as his absence has coincided with in a dip in the League Two club's fortunes following an encouraging start to the campaign.
The 24-year-old Scot had started all nine matches - playing as a centre-half, left-back, wing-back and midfielder - until he was forced off in the first half of a JMT group-stage tie at York City on September 22.
The Millers have been short of options on one of their flanks because attacker Fabio Tavares ruptured an Achilles tendon in the same match and won't play again this term.
"Losing Ewan, my left-back, and Tavs, my left-side forward who can run, has taken a big dynamic out of the team," Bruce said. "They both started the season quite well. It's a bit of a blow to us, I have to say."
Next up for 22nd-placed Rotherham is Saturday's visit to Swindon Town who are in 14th spot.
Loan striker George should be available after recovering from a calf problem and there is an outside chance that centre-half Lenny Agbaire could be involved now that a two-month spell in the treatment room with a hamstring issue is over.
Meanwhile, the under-18s side that took three points from their Youth Alliance League fixture with Salford City at the weekend included first-year pro Harrison Duncan.
The teenage centre-half has made one senior appearance this season, coming on as a substitute against Bradford City in the JMT.
The young Millers were 3- 1 victors over City scoring twice before the break as Josh Thornton and Max Truswell hit the target and adding to their tally in the second half through sub Osahon Ibie-Agho.
Starting 11: Childs; Truswell, Caley, Abdulkadir, Duncan, Warwick, Downing, Yusuf, Thornton, Lowe, Ramsell. Subs: M. Clarke, Price, Rose, Halstead, Ibie-Agho