Reading v Rotherham: Kevin Blackwell backed over hunch about Greg Halford

After being frozen out by former boss Neil Redfearn – and making his feelings known about it on several occasions on social media this term – Halford has been brought in from the cold by the Millers’ new management team of manager Neil Warnock and his No 2 Blackwell.

Halford’s first start since the end of August was one of the major plus points of the club’s 2-0 weekend loss at Reading and the 31-year-old is likely to line up again tonight at Reading.

Blackwell, who managed Halford during his time as Sheffield United boss, said: “Greg is Marmite – you either love him or you hate him. He has the ability to keep people at arm’s length like you would not believe.

“I’ve told him, ‘I know what you can do, keep on doing it and I’ll back you’.

“The gaffer hadn’t seen a lot of him and has backed me on this one.

“People were quite astonished when he came back, but you’ve seen what he can do. He’s got to maintain that, and I’ll be at him. At the moment, he’s responding.

“I remember him coming and he turned up in his Aston Martin giving it all the large ones.

“He was just like that Kevin (Harry Enfield’s truculent teenager). ‘Can you mark him?’ ‘Do I have to?’ (But) in the end, he was outstanding.”

Last six games: Reading DWLDDW Rotherham: LDLLDL.

Referee: K Johnson (Somerset).

Last time: Reading 3 Rotherham 0; November 4, 2014; Championship.