Derby will be ‘over the moon’ with relegation scenario after Rotherham loss, says Paul Warne

The Millers went down to a fifth straight defeat when they lost 1-0 at Brentford on Tuesday, leaving them four points from safety with three games to go.

They have a game in hand over Derby still, but are now reliant on Wayne Rooney's side dropping points in their last two games if they are to stay in the division.

Warne said after the loss at Brentford: “It's a big blow obviously. We came here to try and get something and we know Derby will be over the moon with that result.

“But if we were to win on Saturday, and know it's a big if, and Derby didn't then we would be right back in it. It could swing.

“In fairness even a draw on Saturday and a defeat for Derby. I know they will be uplifted by our result tonight.

“We can be three points behind with one game in hand and we are cruising, we have a better goal difference.

“It won't look so bad, but at the moment the league table doesn't look great. But I can't knock the lads' effort and I won't.”

The Millers have not had circumstances on their side as they have been playing catch-up following two bouts of coronavirus in their camp.

They have had to play 14 games in a six-week period and Warne says it is catching up with his squad.

“The lads are exhausted, the schedule has caught up with us but we will keep going,” he said.

“On another day we might have nicked one at the end.

“It is absolutely exhausting and I don’t know how the players players are doing it. We have a small squad and I am exhausted myself.

“It feels like we’ve a quarter of season in a month and the sad thing is if you are winning every week you feel a million dollars but when you lose you lick your wounds and they get deeper.”