Rotherham United: Right decision for striker to undergo groin surgery says boss Paul Warne

Rotherham United boss Paul Warne knows it is the right decision for striker Kyle Vassell to have surgery on his groin injury.
Pablo Hernandez of Leeds United tackles Kyle Vassell of Rotherham United (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)Pablo Hernandez of Leeds United tackles Kyle Vassell of Rotherham United (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
Pablo Hernandez of Leeds United tackles Kyle Vassell of Rotherham United (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

Vassell has been hampered by the problem since the end of November and has only made three substitute appearances in that time.

During those brief cameos he looked nothing like the powerful, dynamic player that earned an international call-up with Northern Ireland before Christmas.

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A period of rehabilitation and injections have not solved the problem, so Vassell will now go under the knife, which will keep him out for up to five weeks.

“He's been in London seeing a surgeon, he is having an operation on Thursday,” Warne revealed.

“It's a sportsman's groin type of injury so he will be missing for the next four or five weeks.

“It's a blow, in fairness he has been going through the pain for a few weeks now. Me and him had a meeting last week and I got a little bit emotional because I feel sorry for him.

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“He is in a lot of pain and doesn't feel like he can move as well as he could.

“We watched clips of him earlier in the season and what he is doing now and he looks completely different.

“There's no point me turning to him on the bench and putting him on because I don't know what I am going to get out of him, it makes sense to do it.”

Vassell's absence leaves the Millers short in attack as Jamie Proctor is out for the season following surgery of his own.

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Warne has Michael Smith and Jerry Yates at his disposal and he regrets their inability to sign a striker during the recent January transfer window.

“It's just disappointing we didn't get a striker in during the window because we have now got a problem,” Warne added. “Hopefully nothing will happen with Smudge, Jerry will have to contribute. I'm not going to cry about it.”

There is better injury news ahead of Tuesday's trip to Hull, where the Millers are hoping to win a Championship away game at the 41st time of asking.

Ryan Williams will be in the squad after he has recovered from a hamstring injury, while Warne expects defender Clark Robertson to have shaken off an ankle injury.

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“We are hoping he is alright, he rolled his ankle at the weekend,” the boss said of his centre-half.

“He walked through training and did very little, as long as he doesn't get any ill-effects from training he should be fine.”