Ledesma has faith in Millers

The flip side to that coin is that  the Championship looks an altogether tougher proposition and the Millers have to improve with it.

Ledesma, who contributed to last season's survival fight while on a two-month loan, is all too aware of that.

His old club, Middlesbrough, will be strong again and the six teams coming in – QPR, Burnley, Hull City, Bristol City, MK Dons and Preston – look stronger as a collective than the ones they have replaced.

But Ledesma is confident that Rotherham can cope with the demands and says the whole team, including himself, can and will adapt ready for next Saturday's opener against the Dons.

Speaking after Wednesday's friendly with Leicester, he said: “I think the team is better than last year. There's better quality players and I keep thinking that we can surprise everyone this season.

“It's a nice one to look forward to but a hard one too when you see the teams coming in.

“We have to keep going and be ready for August 8, and we're waiting for that day."