Paul Warne happy to rush Rotherham United trio back

The Millers had to shut their training ground down for nine days either side of Christmas because of a Covid-19 outbreak, but reluctantly returned on medical advice for Tuesday’s 2-1 defeat to Barnsley.

“I should be able to get another three players back training so I should have three more bodies potentially for Saturday,” said manager Warne. “I’ve had 15 years out (since he retired from playing) and I reckon I could kick a ball about it’s the movement, the sharpness of thought.

“One of my players told me (after Tuesday’s game) it felt like he’d had a really good night out and he just had jelly legs the day after, he hadn’t trained for so long. Hopefully they get their legs back and have a little bit more sharpness.”

The Football League changed its rules in November to allow five subs amidst a spate of injuries caused by the schedule.

“It does allow you to think if he can only give you 60 minutes, that’s fine, whereas prior to it you’d be thinking, ‘I’ve only got three subs, that’s one already used and if I want to change the system, I’m limited’. With five it’s like playing Football Manager, you can be a bit more reckless.

“I took Woody (Richard Wood) off in midweek when he just said he was tightening up a little bit. With three subs, by that stage of the game I might have already thrown the kitchen sink at it.

“If Mikel (Miller) was playing on the left wing and after 60 minutes I’m thinking, ‘Is he a bit fatigued?’ I’ll just get Trev (Clarke) on, whereas before you’d leave him for a few minutes.”

Support The Yorkshire Post and become a subscriber today. Your subscription will help us to continue to bring quality news to the people of Yorkshire. In return, you’ll see fewer ads on site, get free access to our app and receive exclusive members-only offers. Click HERE to subscribe.