Rotherham United’s Matt Crooks in fitting tribute to tragic former Huddersfield Town team-mate Jordan Sinnott

Monday is the first anniversary of the tragic passing of his best mate Jordan Sinnott – someone who will always be at the forefront of the thoughts and in the heart of the Millers midfielder.

With Rotherham not returning to action until next Wednesday, Crooks – who came through the ranks at Huddersfield Town with Sinnott – was afforded two emotional moments after his brace in the midweek 3-3 draw with Stoke City, a game he is likely to remember in the years to come.

Crooks said: “I have not hidden my feelings about ‘Sinn’ and what he meant to me and every goal I do score now is for him and obviously now, it is a bit more poignant at this time of year because it will be a year on Monday.

“I seem to have these games against Stoke. I remember the away game during the last time we were in the Championship and I could have scored three or four, but for (Jack) Butland.

“With the timing and everthing else, it is probably one (a game) I will look back at and be really proud of in the future.”

Sinnott died in hospital after suffering a fractured skull and brain damage following an assault.

Rotherham may have missed out on moving out of the Championship drop zone after Stoke equalised twice in the second half of a pulsating six-goal thriller, but the hosts’ relentless performance offered plenty of optimism in regards to achieving their cherished aim of staying up.

The sight of Crooks and Michael Smith harassing Stoke continually on a night when they shared three goals and displayed a clear goal threat added to that conviction with the Millers 5-3-1-1 system seeming to suit both perfectly.

Crooks, who operated just behind Smith, commented: “We get on well. Ever since I have joined, we have clicked and our families get on as well. I don’t know if that helps on the pitch; it probably does.

“We just seem to work well together. He comes short and it enables me to run in behind when defenders go with him. Hopefully it continues.

“I really enjoy my role. Last time in the Championship, I did it then towards the end of the season and got some joy from it.

“I feel I’m not as restricted in where I can go. I can take up different positions to try to get on the ball and can run in behind when someone is holding up the ball.”