Mystery bug hits Joseph

The 30-year-old who was signed from Blackpool lost around a stone in weight in the summer because of illness.

"He's been unable to regain the weight and is down on his fitness," said manager Mark Robins today.

"We're going to have some tests done on him to make sure there's nothing untoward.

"He has worked his socks off but not able to do things in quite the way that he would like. It must have been difficult for him because he has been ill and trying his best. But there's something there that's not quite right, so we are trying to get to the bottom of it.

"It's been a blow to him, because when you come to a new club you want everything to go well."

Ian Sharps will come into contention for Saturday's match at Barnet after playing a full game in his comeback for the reserves.

Bruce Dyer too is back in training after missing the second half last Saturday because of niggle affecting his groin and thigh.

The back problem that kept loan signing Ryan Cresswell out of the Reserve team appears to have cleared up, and he too was due to rejoin training today.

The Millers are checking on Liam King, who in the Reserves game suffered a similar injury to the one that had been affected Cresswell.