Rotherham United: Mattock hopes for new Millers deal

Defender Joe Mattock wants to commit his future to Rotherham United despite the Championship club's impending relegation.
Joe MattockJoe Mattock
Joe Mattock

The left-back, who is out of contract at the end of June, would be delighted to sign a new deal and be part of the Millers’ 2017/18 League One campaign.

There have been no negotiations so far, but the 26-year-old is keeping his fingers crossed that the club approach him soon.

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“Hopefully there is a contract that gets offered to me before the end of the season because Rotherham, to me, are a good team,” he told The Star.

“We might not be doing too well, but they are my team. I am thankful to be at Rotherham. I live in the area and I would be more than happy to be here next year.”

Mattock, who has played 30 times this season, is banned for two matches after picking up 10 bookings and will miss Saturday’s trip to QPR where a defeat could see the drop mathematically confirmed.

The bottom-placed Millers are 22 points adrift of safety with nine games remaining and will be relegated if they lose at Loftus Road while Blackburn Rovers and Nottingham Forest win and Burton Albion draw.

Danny WardDanny Ward
Danny Ward
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Blackburn, at home to Preston North End, and Forest, who entertain Derby, are both in action at 1pm on Saturday. Burton’s home fixture with Brentford kicks off at 3pm, the same time as Rotherham’s clash with Ian Holloway’s side.

Mattock is prepared to be patient while Rotherham decide their next move.

“I will be open for talks at any time,” he said. “I am not going to go in there and demand this and that. I will wait for the gaffer or chief executive or whoever to call me in.”

The full-back has made 66 Millers appearances after being signed two years ago by then-manager Steve Evans who snapped him up at the end of his spell at Sheffield Wednesday.

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Mattock has tipped Danny Ward to come good after the striker missed two one-on-one chances in last weekend’s 1-0 loss at Wolves, shooting straight at goalkeeper Carl Ikeme both times.

“Wardy has been terrific for us all season,” he said. “He has probably got us all of our points.

“These things happen, so he has got to keep his head up and move on to the next game.

“I would have put my house on Wardy to score. He was unlucky. Both of them were great saves from the keeper.

“You could see what Wardy tried to do. You can’t dwell on them.”

Loan striker Carlton Morris is expected to be in the Rotherham squad for the first time.