Paul Warne hoping Rotherham United are over the worst of their injury problems

PAUL WARNE is hoping to avoid any more "curve-balls" on the injury front in the final stretch of the Championship season.
MANAGER: Paul Warne. Picture: Getty Images.MANAGER: Paul Warne. Picture: Getty Images.
MANAGER: Paul Warne. Picture: Getty Images.

The Rotherham United manager could welcome back Chiedozie Ogbene, Jamie Lindsay and Joe Mattock next month and hopes their return doesn't coincide with any more injury problems.

Ogbene, who had an operation to repair a knee injury at the start of the season, was on the training field on Thursday while Lindsay could return sooner than anticipated.

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Mattock will also be back in training by the end of the week as the Millers prepare for the visit of Reading on Saturday afternoon.

"They are all slowly but surely coming back, which is great," said Warne.

"I just hope I am able to add them to compete with the squad without losing many more. You always get good news but there is always a curve-ball around the corner.

"Fortunately, we got through the other night injury free. If we can continue that until the international break then we will give ourselves a real good chance in the remaining games."

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He continued: “He (Chieo Ogbene) is a couple of weeks away at least. He’s got a bit of work to do on the grass.

RETURNING: Chiedozie Ogbene. Picture: Getty Images.RETURNING: Chiedozie Ogbene. Picture: Getty Images.
RETURNING: Chiedozie Ogbene. Picture: Getty Images.

“Bless him, he’s been out for long periods of time, so he’s going to virtually need a mini pre-season to get him back up to speed.

“It is a positive boost for us, Joe Mattock is back on the grass at the end of this week and Jamie Lindsay could be back sooner than he hoped as well.

“Jamie had a scan which initially said he could be out for nine to 10 weeks, he had another scan and we spoke to a specialist who said his diagnosis is possibly only six to seven weeks now. It looks like he will join in training with the squad for the international break.”

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Rotherham have lost their last four games - all by a one-goal margin - and Warne feels that fatigue has played a part in that run.

However, he has been largely pleased with how his players have performed in recent weeks.

Their latest defeat came against Nottingham Forest on Tuesday night and Warne is backing his players to respond against Reading on Saturday.

“I would be lying if I said they were not looking a little jaded, but it is nice to come in today with nice weather and the pitches look a lot more solid," he added.

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“The lads just want to run around, we’ve got a third of the season left, it is going to be a monumental effort but I think the lads are looking forward to trying to right the wrong from the other night.

"We might have to freshen' up a few positions, that is for sure."

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