Rotherham United: Dexter Blackstock hit by injury

The 30-year-old was unavailable for Saturday’s 3-0 Championship defeat at Derby County after damaging his quadriceps muscles and the Millers have yet to put a timescale on his return.

“Dexter had a quad injury and that is why he missed out,” manager Kenny Jackett revealed. “I don’t know how long he will be out for.”

The centre-forward has made three starts and five substitute appearances since signing a three-year deal as a free agent in early September just after the close of the summer transfer window.

There was no guarantee the former Nottingham Forest hitman would have started at the iPro Stadium after playing poorly and be taken off at half-time in Rotherham’s most recent previous fixture, the 3-1 home loss against Preston North End.

The bottom-placed Millers are now 11 points adrift of a safety spot after the clash with the Rams.

Jackett, who replaced sacked Alan Stubbs four matches ago, has made addressing the defensive weaknesses which have blighted the club since the start of the season his top priority.

“We have some players who have ability going forward. It’s just at the other end where we are struggling to find a combination,” he said.

“The early part of the game against Derby, I thought we did okay. We got some ball-playing midfielders on the ball. The second period, when we put Peter Odemwingie up with Danny Ward and put Izzy Brown on, we had moments.

“But generally, because of the goals conceded, we handed Derby control of the game.”

Rotherham have shipped 41 goals in 17 league matches, 11 more than any other side in the division.

The Millers were well beaten at the iPro where their goalkeeper, Lee Camp, saved two penalties and was their man of the match.

Skipper Richard Wood, wearing the armband in the continued injury absence of Lee Frecklington, said: “He has been top-class. He was great last season. Even though we have lost 3-0, he has had a great game, and that just shows you what a good keeper we have got.

“He does lead by example. We all need to pull together, draw on our experience and get through this difficult patch and turn a corner.”

Match feature and more Jackett reaction