MILLERS EYE MIDFIELDERS

Millers manager Mark Robins decided to move after midfield playmaker Mark Hudson was ruled out for some time with a knee injury.

Robins said today that he has had the OK to go and get someone as cover and he has lined up four possibles.

Robins said: "We have spoken with clubs and they have given us permission to go ahead and speak with their particular player, so we may have someone in."

He said three were Championship clubs and one in the Premiership.

Meanwhile, the Millers will know the extent of the damage to Mark Hudson's knee on Thursday.

That is when the midfielder has an operation aimed at divulging the exact nature of the injury picked up against Sheffield United last week.

It is known that he has torn medial ligaments and a cartilage tear and a scan on the knee has shown that his cruciate ligaments are intact, which is good news, according to Robins.

Thursday's operation is expected to deal with the cartilage damage but Robins said: "What exactly they find in the operation will determine what course of action is taken."

He said Hudson, signed from Huddersfield Town, is expected to be out for at least six weeks but it could be possibly as longas 16 weeks.

Saturday's opening day opponents Hereford United have signed experienced and much- travelled striker Trevor Benjamin.

Rotherham's reserves have their first gamke tomorrow when they play Oldham Athletic at Millmoor (2pm) in a Pontins League Play-off game held over from last season. Rotherham were champions of their section and Oldham won theirs in Lancashire.

Rotherham send a young team to Dinnington Town tonight (7pm) in a game that will raise funds for the Bluebell Wood Hospice Appeal and also other local Dinnington charities.

Meanwhile, both the Millers and Dinnington will feature in cup action on Sky within a couple of days of each other next week.

Rotherham's Carling Cup clash with Sheffield Wednesday a week on Thursday is live on the satellite channel and the following night, Friday, August 17, Dinnington's FA Cup preliminary round clash with neighbours Maltby Main will be a focus for the Sky cameras although they aren't showing it live.

They are expected to be there as part of an FA Cup feature and with interviews, background and some action shown later, possibly the following morning.

The FA Cup is also going to be on show at Dinnington as part of the day.

Newcastle

United youngster Andy Carroll could be a target for the Owls – as Chris Brunt attracts interest from West Brom.

Manager Brian Laws has said that Wednesday have agreed a deal with a Premiership club.

Laws has also been linked with Blackburn's Francis Jeffers.

But rumours within the game are linking him with Carroll.

The Newcastle centre forward is 18, 6ft 3ins and generally regarded in the North East as a bright prospect.

It would be regarded as a coup if Wednesday land him.

Reports linking the Owls with Celtic striker Derek Riordan have been dismissed by sources in Scotland.

West Brom have noted the Chris Brunt situation and are believed to be pondering whether or not to make bid.

The Owls have said that the winger is not for sale and will see out the final year of his contract after rejecting a new one.