Millers step up preparations

The Millers take on Falkirk on Friday (7.30pm) and Queen of the South on Saturday (3pm), that match brought forward 24 hours because the scheduled match with Livingston was called off due to the pitch there not being ready.

A goal from Kieran Agard earned a deserved 1-0 win in last weekend's opener at Greenock Morton.

A line-up including new boys Frazer Richardson, Richard Wood, Conor Newton and Ryan Hall dominated, with Agard heading the winner from a Joe Skarz cross just before the half-hour mark.

A satisfied Evans said: "The first game of pre-season is always the most difficult one but I am pleased with the workout.

"We are two weeks into pre-season, we got a 1-0 victory and it could have been more.

"We started a little sloppily but from the 15th minute through to half time we were in control and it was similar in the second half after we made eight changes. All in all it is something to build on."

Craig Morgan, Matt Derbyshire and Kirk Broadfoot were all carrying knocks and missed out at Cappielow Park.

They're all striving for match action and there will be plenty of opportunities over the coming weeks.

The new-look Millers go on view at the New York Stadium for the first time next Wednesday (7.30pm) against Championship rivals Nottingham Forest.

The pre-season roster also includes away games at Tamworth, Alfreton and Doncaster Rovers and wraps up with a home date against Premier League Leicester City on Tuesday, August 5 (7.45pm), four days before the Championship opener away to Derby County.