Paul Warne gives update on Rotherham United keeper Viktor Johansson

The Swedish custodian was stretchered off in Saturday’s hugely controversial defeat to Barnsley when he was caught in the face by the elbow of Reds striker Carlton Morris whose goal was allowed to stand in the 1-0 win.

There were fears that Johansson had broken an eye socket, with the pictures of the injury circulating on social media after the game with the area around the keeper's right eye looking severely bruised.

Thankfully, there is no fracture, but Johansson - who felt decidedly groggy after the game and on Sunday - will still miss the game against the Bees, with Jamal Blackman, who replaced him in goal, to make his first start since March 16.

Warne, whose side are four points adrift of fourth from bottom Derby, but have two games in hand, said: “He (Johansson) had a scan on Sunday evening and he has not broken his eye socket or anything, which is good news. But he will have to go through a bit of the concussion protocol now and did not feel great on Sunday in fairness.

“I have led to believe he might be available for the weekend. He won’t be available for tomorrow, that is for sure.

“It is a blow for the young man. No-one wants an elbow to the face and to come out of the team. He has done really well and been a big part. But it is Jamal’s chance to pick up his gloves and I thought he did well on Saturday, although he had very little to do.

“It is the ‘next man up’, but you never want to see your players injured, that is for sure.”

Warne has said that a number of managers have contacted him to express their sympathy at the decision to award Barnsley’s goal at the weekend - in the wake of another controversial decision going against the Millers last week when Matt Crooks was sent off after an aerial challenge with Middlesbrough’s Grant Hall.

Despite replays showing that Crooks did not catch Hall with an elbow after jumping to try and head the ball - with the Millers player seeming to accidentally catch the Boro player in a clash of heads - the Millers appeal against their player’s three-match ban failed.

Warne said: “I have spoken to loads of people and had managers phone me in sympathy (about Saturday), I suppose. It is a foul anywhere on the pitch and that is no way it is not a foul on my goalkeeper. It was disappointing.

“But we cannot keep harping out about it. We have got four matches left and start with a game against a very good team and there are demons I have got to get rid of, hopefully.

“We will take the challenge on for what it is. Hopefully, at the final whistle, win, lose or draw, we are not talking about decisions or mistakes, but a bit of class from whichever team that is.

“We were very unlucky against Middlesbrough as well with what happened there. I kind sort of understand the referee if he thinks it is a red and gives it. I can legislate for that in my brain, but I was more disappointed the punishment was upheld. That is what I was really surprised with as I don’t know anyone - apart from the odd pundit and has to be controversial - who thought it was a red card.

“But we are still upbeat. The lads came away from the game on Saturday really positive in terms of how we played and the chances we created. Unfortunately, we need to take our chances and we are running out of games.”

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