Millers ready for Derby test

MANAGER STEVE Evans says his Rotherham United players are primed and ready for their big return to the Championship, starting with tomorrow's teak tough opener at Derby County.

After a nine-year absence, a clash with last season's beaten play-off finalists represents a tough re-introduction to the second tier.

Boosted by a dozen new summer signings and backed by 2,600 travelling supporters, the Millers go in the game as underdogs. Evans accepts that and knows it will take peak performance to earn a positive start.

He told the Advertiser: "For many people, Derby are the favourites for promotion. They've an array of talent and were unlucky to go up last season when they lost to QPR in the play-off final.

"Steve McClaren has signed some quality players in the last few weeks and it's a massive task and a number of people won't give us any hope.

"We're going to have to defend well and be slick in our passing and movement and take our chances. We'll need to have a top day but we're excited by the Championship and we can't wait to get started."

There's much more on the big kick-off in this week's Millers Extra supplement, free in this week's Advertiser.