Rotherham United boss Paul Warne offers update on Shaun MacDonald ahead of Bournemouth trip

Rotherham will have Shaun MacDonald available for the trip to Bournemouth.
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The midfielder, who missed several months earlier this season with a broken leg, was struggling with a calf injury.

But scans on Monday came back all clear and he trained on Tuesday to put himself in contention against his former club.

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Boss Paul Warne said: “With Jamie Lindsay out, I would have been down to four midfielders and would literally be that I couldn't move anyone.

Rotherham United will have Shaun MacDonald available for the trip to Bournemouth tomorrow evening. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)Rotherham United will have Shaun MacDonald available for the trip to Bournemouth tomorrow evening. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
Rotherham United will have Shaun MacDonald available for the trip to Bournemouth tomorrow evening. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)

“It is a massive having Shaun, not just for his playing prowess, just his presence in the team has a massive impact, the lads look up to him.

“It is a massive bonus he is travelling.”

Lindsay is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a hamstring tear, while Chiedozie Ogbene is also out with a long-standing knee problem.

Saturday's postponed game with QPR did at least give some aching bodies chance to recuperate and the Millers make the long trip south in good spirits.

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Two of their in-form players are Matt Crooks and Michael Smith and Crooks their partnership is instinctive.

Crooks scored his sixth goal in four games during last week's 2-1 defeat to Cardiff and it was set up by Smith.

The two have combined on numerous occasions over the Millers' recent good run of form and Crooks says it is all natural.

“It just seems to work,” he said. “I feel like he creates space for me because his presence takes up so much of defenders' attention.

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“It kind of allows me to roam a bit more and run in behind and take up different positions. They don't pick me up.

“The goal against Cardiff, for example.... he was out wide and it just needed me to find a space in the box. He put in an unbelievable ball for me to tap it in. It's working well and long may it continue.

“We just go out and play. I won't say what we do say to each other because I don't want to give it away to defenders but he gives me a few pointers now and then.

“We watch our clips back and sometimes I hammer him if I think he can slide me in but takes an extra touch.

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“Away from the pitch, we usually talk about home stuff - how our kids and partners and doing and things like that. He's a good friend of mine. I'll keep him touch with him when our football careers are done.”

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