Young Miller making Marc

MANAGER Mark Robins looks set to give young striker Marc Newsham an extended run after his promising introduction to Rotherham United's side.

Newsham, 20, has been on the fringe for a couple of years, making a number of substitute appearances but just a handful of starts.

Two games ago, Robins decided that he would give Newsham a place in the starting line-up and he marked this show of faith with a stunning finish in the win over Mansfield.

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He retained his place at Brentford last Friday and, by common consent, was the most effective striker on either side and almost got a late winner.

"I'd like to have seen him finish that one but it will come and it won't faze him, he'll be in there for the next chance," said Robins.

"He's a bright player and, for me, there's no one to touch him for movement at this level.

"Marc is learning what it's all about and if he continues to do that and to work hard, then he'll get better. We're not expecting everything all at once, I'm happy to wait and for him to develop."

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Robins tackled the question about the possibility of the slimline youngster "beefing up" to face the robust rigours of League Two defenders and said Newsham was "a different build, he's wiry. He is working hard on the weights and we're doing as much as we can but I don't recall Ian Rush 'bulking up'.

"Look at a young, modern-day striker like Matt Derbyshire at Blackburn. He's a similar build to Marc and he's been doing it in the Premiership."

Assuming that Newsham starts in Saturday's home game with Morecambe, it will mean his longest "run" of starts - he had previously started in only two successive games which were the final two games of last season.

Football

League rules are hampering Barnsley's efforts to extend Anderson de Silva's stay at Oakwell.

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Manager Simon Davey is prevented from offering the midfielder anything longer than a three-month deal because his original loan was arranged outside of a transfer window so de Silva must return to Goodison Park at the end of November. But Barnsley are confident they could persuade him to strike a deal for de Silva to renew his agreement in January.

England

U19 play their final group game in the UEFA preliminary qualifying stage against Belgium (7.45) at Oakwell tonight.

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