Updates on Rotherham United duo Dan Gore and Josh Benson as Bolton Wanderers clash looms
ROTHERHAM United are sweating on the fitness of a key men in their League One survival battle as they prepare for the impending clash with one of the division's top teams.
Midfielder Dan Gore, who has been arguably the club's best player this season, sat out last Saturday's trip to Huddersfield Town last Saturday.
The injury he is nursing isn't severe, but there is no guarantee that the 21-year-old will be available this weekend for the visit of third-placed Bolton Wanderers to AESSEAL New York Stadium as the drop-zone Millers side seek to bounce back from the 1-0 loss against the Terriers.
He took a kick to his ankle in the March 3 draw with Mansfield Town and manager Matt Hamshaw said: “It's just a race against time, really, for Saturday.
“He's got a bit of swelling. It isn't anything that is going to be long term. He's had scans and there's nothing major on there. We all hope he's going to be all right to face Bolton.
“He failed a late fitness test last Friday morning, hence why he wasn't involved against Huddersfield.”
Rotherham kept the Manchester United loanee inside at their Roundwood complex in the early part of this week and have their fingers crossed that his issue will ease enough for him to be given the medical all-clear.
“We're giving it as long as we can to get the swelling down,” Hamshaw said.
A small group of players trained on Monday as illness hit the camp and there were fuller sessions yesterday and today.
The Millers are optimistic that another midfielder, Josh Benson, will be part of their 18-man squad for the 12.30pm kick-off against Bolton, but, like Gore, he isn't certain to be involved as he recovers from a calf problem that has sidelined him for the last two fixtures.
“I was going to put him on bench last Saturday, but I just felt like it was a bit too much of a risk,” Hamshaw said. ”Even if I had used him, it might have been for only 10 minutes or so.
“People go: ‘Well, he's a real attacking threat.’ And he is. But, at the same time, there's an inflated risk of him sustaining further damage. We can't really afford that at this moment.
“I'm hoping he's okay for the weekend.”