Rotherham United: Millers boss in Nile Ranger talks

Troubled striker Nile Ranger's Rotherham United future is set to be decided over the weekend.
Nile RangerNile Ranger
Nile Ranger

The 24-year-old free agent has been training with the club for more than a fortnight, and boss Neil Warnock said: “I am speaking to him over the next 24 hours. I will talk more about that next week.”

The former Newcastle United frontman has past convictions for criminal damage and assault and has been without a club since walking out on Blackpool last year.

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But Warnock, whose side face fifth-placed Derby County tomorrow looking to make it four wins on the trot as they fight for their Championship survival, has allowed him to work out with his squad after a request from Millers forward Leon Best.

The Rotherham boss says defender Lloyd Doyley is available again after injury and is hoping centre-half Richard Wood declares himself fit despite a hamstring niggle.

“Woody has got an inflamed hamstring, but it’s still very, very solid, so it is one of those things that the player has to decide really,” he said.

“We have only two more games then have two weeks off, so if he feels he should rest it then we are in agreement, but if he doesn’t feel like he wants to lose his place then we will go along with it.

“Lloyd is training. He will come back into the squad.”

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Right-back Frazer Richardson is out with a hamstring problem picked uo in the midweek victory over Middlesbrough and that should mean a first start for Stephen Kelly after a long injury absence.

“Can Stephen last 90 minutes? I’ll tell yout at 10 to five on Saturday!” Warnock said.

“Lloyd Doyley is training and has been all week. He will come back into the squad.”

Stephen Kelly is the likely replacement for Richardson and is set for his first start since December 19 following calf and knee injuries.

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It’s a case of the luck of the Irish for the Millers as in the five appearances Kelly has made, both starting and as a sub, they have won every game without conceding a goal.

Whether the defender can get through 90 minutes or not remains to be seen.

“I’ll tell you at 10 to five on Saturday, that’s the only answer,” Warnock added. “I hope so because he is desperate to do well because he has been outside for so long.

“He is a good player, he showed the other night, second half he did ever so well.”