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Millers: Mullins relief at return to Rotherham fold
ROTHERHAM United full-back Johnny Mullins is hoping to steer clear of anymore injuries this term.
Signed on a free transfer in the summer from Stockport, the likeable Londoner picked up a calf strain in a behind- closed-doors match against his former employees shortly after joining Ronnie Moore's promotion hopefuls.
That injury prevented Mullins from taking part in the Millers' pre-season programme.
But having returned to training and regained some of his match sharpness, Mullins was handed his debut in Rotherham's midweek 1-0 victory at home to Lincoln in the first round of the Johnstone Paint Trophy.
He told The Star: "I tired towards the end on Tuesday but I'm just pleased to be back in the mix. It was important to get that first game under my belt and test the leg. It feels fine now and I just want to make up for lost time and start playing football again.
"I don't think I can get above myself; I haven't played for a while so I've got to work my way back in and adjust to the way the team plays as quick as possible.
"It will take me a couple of games to get up to full match fitness but hopefully the more games I play the more I will add to the team."
Shorn of Mullins and Dale Tonge's services due to injury, Moore snapped up Dean Holden on a month's loan from rivals Shrewsbury last month. In a makeshift back four, Salford-born Holden has yet to taste defeat in his four appearances.
However, Holden is ineligible for Rotherham's top-of-the-table clash with the Shrews today, meaning Mullins is expected to be given another opportunity to cement his place in the side.
"Dean is an experienced professional; he has done really well so if I get a chance against Shrewsbury I will have to take it," said Mullins. "I'm hoping that competition will bring the best out of both of us and can only be a good thing for the team.
"The players know they can't rest on their laurels. We know if we have an indifferent game there is a chance that you might be out of the team."
Moore rotated his squad in the Johnstone Paint Trophy, selecting Jamie Annerson in goal, Mullins at right-back and Jeremiah Ani up front.
His changes paid off as Adam Le Fondre bagged his sixth of the season to send the club into today's second round draw.
"I think the competition we have got is going to keep everyone on their toes," he said. "We know the ultimate goal is to go up so it is not going to be down to just the starting eleven on Saturday; it will be a squad effort."
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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