Rotherham United: Team news and build-up to Shrewsbury clash

The best Christmas present for Rotherham United boss Paul Warne would be to field a fit and healthy side at Shrewsbury today.
Paul WarnePaul Warne
Paul Warne

The Millers have been decimated by injury and illness over the last week, with several players playing through the pain barrier – and out of position – in Saturday's 2-2 draw with Fleetwood.

Richard Wood (hamstring), Michael Ihiekwe (back), Billy Jones (hamstring), Shaun MacDonald (calf) and Jamie Lindsay (compassionate leave) all missed out at the weekend while Matt Crooks (illness), Freddie Ladapo and Ben Wiles (both ankle) played through injury while Clark Robertson (illness) was put on the bench, but would not have been fit enough to play.

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Warne is hoping that several issues have cleared up since the weekend and that he can put a strong team out in the Boxing Day clash in Shropshire.

Wood, Robertson, Crooks and Ladapo should be fit to play, but Warne needs to hear from his medical staff on Ihiekwe and Wiles.

On Robertson, Warne said after the game with Fleetwood: “Robbo has been ill all week and hasn't been at the training ground.

"Saturday was his first day. He was coughing and spluttering. We didn't want to put him on unless we had to. Hopefully we can get a bit refreshed for Boxing Day. Crooksy should be okay.”

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The Millers were planning on having ever-present Ihiekwe available against Fleetwood but he could not recover from a back injury while Wiles played with heavy strapping on his ankle.

Meanwhile, Warne did not get his players in for training on Christmas Day, instead preferring to have happy players at his disposal.

“Historically, I don't believe in Christmas Day training, although it took me a while to decide this year as last year the players were off and we were disgusting on Boxing Day,” he said.

“On Christmas Day, I normally get all the lads to send in a WhatsApp clip of them out running. I still go out for a run because I always have.

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“They can do it in fancy dress or whatever they like and can just have a day with their families really.

“Realistically, if for that one day they don't train it does not have a big effect. And I think happy and motivated players are the best sort to have.

“They know if they don't train on Christmas Day that they owe me on Boxing Day. That's the deal they do with the devil.”