Rotherham United boss Neil Redfearn ponders tactical switch - and appoints Eadie

Redfearn expects striker Leon Best and new signing Aimen Belaid to make their comebacks in the next week or so as both recover from groin injuries, with captain Lee Frecklington hopefully returning to the starting XI in a couple of weeks.

And their returns could mark a turning point in Rotherham’s season, as he revealed tactical plans to switch to a 4-4-2 formation for the remainder of the campaign.

“Leon Best is a week or ten days away so that is a real plus to us,” said Redfearn. “It will create real competition for striker spots.

“In an ideal situation, I want to play with two up front, but again, we have to get ourselves in that position.”

Redfearn is also looking forward to welcoming back Frecklington to his squad, who hasn’t made an appearance for the Millers since his last game in August.

“He is really important to us, and we really miss him when he’s not there,” the Rotherham chief added.

“He’s infectious and is an important part of this group as our captain.

“He makes a real difference when he plays and it’s no coincidence that when he plays, we get good results.

“But I’d say he is a couple of weeks away, so if we can get him 100% fit and get him out there, then we can start looking a bit stronger in that area.

“Aimen Belaid trained (on Thursday), but we’ve got to be careful with him.

“But he’s done some light stuff today, had a feel of the ball and done some striding so we’ll monitor him (on Friday) and if he’s had no reaction, we’ll maybe consider him for Saturday.”

Meanwhile, have named Leicester City assistant professional development coach Nicky Eaden as their new assistant-manager.

Sheffield-born Eaden, 43, who spent a short spell at a coach with the Millers in 2011, links up once again with Rotherham boss Neil Redfearn, a former team mate of his at Barnsley during the club’s memorable rise to the top-flight.

Eaden replaces Eric Black, who recently left the Millers to become Remi Garde’s assistant at Aston Villa.

It is Eaden’s second spell on the coaching staff at Rotherham, having briefly linked up with the club towards the end of the 2010-11 season.

Eaden has also served as player-coach at Kettering under Mark Cooper in the late noughties and was his assistant during a short-lived spell at Peterborough.

He moved to Leicester in 2012-13 and has worked alongside development supremo Steve Beaglehole.