Warne upbeat over Millers' chances

MANAGER Paul Warne remains upbeat about Rotherham United's prospects as they aim to get their League One campaign back on track.

Speaking ahead of tomorrow's trip to Blackpool, Warne says he can "see sunshine ahead, not rain," and still has a good group of players to work with.

The Millers go into the clash without suspended top scorer Kieffer Moore and on a quest to collect their first league win in eight.

Warne told the Advertiser: "I honestly believe this group is really good and should be a top ten team. I don't lie in bed and think 'oh my god, this team isn't good enough', I don't think like that.

"I just think we are on a little bit of a sticky wicket at the moment, but like I've said, I can see sunshine in front, not rain.

"Obviously I'm concerned; I'm not trying to be flippant but it doesn't feel as desperate as it was last year because last year it felt as if there was nothing we could do.

"This year I feel we have a good group that we will try and improve in January but I'm pretty positive, I'm not downbeat about it."

Missing: leading scorer Kieffer Moore.

Moore's three-match ban for his dismissal at Bristol Rovers last week means he won't be available for selection again until Boxing Day. The striker was shown a straight red for raising his hands to home defender Lee Brown. Moore's absence will give a chance for Jonson Clarke-Harris or Jerry Yates to step into the fray and is likely to trigger a change in formation.

Warne acknowledged: "At the time it was hugely frustrating but I've been sent off so I can't be hypocritical. It's hugely disappointing for us and Kieffer because he might struggle to get another game in for us before he goes back to Ipswich. We appealed the decision because he didn't actually push the lad in the face but that was rejected so unfortunately it's a three-match ban.

"It's next man up now, that's the idea of a squad, let's see what we've got.”

Don’t forget to follow developments at Bloomfield Road on our Live Matchday Blog, and catch today’s Advertiser for an exclusive interview with chairman Tony Stewart and all the latest from the AESSEAL New York Stadium.