Rotherham United: Defensive woes for Millers ahead of MK Dons trip

With Richard Wood already out for some time with a hamstring injury, Warne's preparations have been hit this week as Clark Robertson, Adam Thompson and Michael Ihiekwe all missed periods of training.

Robertson, who has struggled with groin problems, and Thompson have felt niggles while Ihiekwe has been ill.

The Millers boss is hoping they can all return to training before they travel to Milton Keynes, especially as another central defensive option Joe Mattock is still injured.

"I've got a bit of a centre-half issue,” Warne said. “Robbo pulled out of training, as did Thommo and Icky didn't train because he was ill. Woody isn't available.

"I'm hopeful I'll get two of my centre halves out on the training ground today and hopefully three tomorrow, but fingers crossed really.

"With Joe Mattock being out as well, who is my go-to 5th choice, at this rate I might have to play Smudge (Michael Smith or Crooksy (Matt Crooks) at centre-back.

“It is a problem, but more often than not, it sorts itself out by the weekend.”

Mattock has not played for the last few weeks after suffering a back injury at Gillingham, but Warne was hopeful he would be available this weekend.

However, that is now not the case.

"This weekend, it won't happen,” he added. I was hopeful he would join in training today, that's what we discussed last week.

"It's going to be next week now so I can't forsee it happening before the Portsmouth game.

"It might be the FA Cup game which is his first back.”

The trip to MK will be their first game at home under new manager Russell Martin and Warne is wary of a response from a side that has lost their last six in all competitions.

"They obviously got promoted and they haven't had the start they probably wanted,” Warne said. “But we've watched the last few games as we always do and they were really dominant at Bolton against a team that have now won three on the spin away from home.

"Even when they had 10 men they should have won the game in my opinion.

"You always get a reaction when a new manager comes in. It is their first league home game under the new management so I expect a real positive performance from them.

“They can really keep the ball and that has been evident in years gone by."