Rotherham United dealt fresh injury blow ahead of Ipswich Town clash as Arsenal loanee leaves Portsmouth defeat on crutches

Rotherham United are waiting to learn the extent of a foot injury suffered by Jordi Osei-Tutu after he left Fratton Park on crutches on Tuesday night.

The Arsenal loanee was withdrawn after 84 minutes as the Millers automatic promotion hopes took a hit with a 3-0 defeat at Portsmouth.

Osei-Tutu, who scored the last-gasp equaliser in the Papa John's Trophy final earlier this month, was spotted using crutches and wearing a protective boot as Rotherham made the journey back to South Yorkshire.

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Manager Paul Warne initially thought the midfielder had broken his foot and although he was unable to give any further updates, he fears the 23-year-old will be sidelined for the foreseeable future.

"He was in severe pain, I thought he had broken his foot at the time," said a frustrated Warne.

"I moaned about the tackle, if it is anywhere else on the pitch, I can't see how it's not a foul. The referee said that it was a meeting of bodies, so it wasn't a foul.

"He is walking with crutches on and a boot, it isn't great. He might wake up tomorrow and it's all good but I would suspect he's in a bit of trouble."

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Despite defeat on Tuesday, the Millers' hopes of automatic promotion remain in their own hands as they are three points behind second-placed MK Dons with a game hand and a superior goal difference.

INJURY BLOW: For Jordi Osei-Tutu. Picture: Zac Goodwin/PA Wire.INJURY BLOW: For Jordi Osei-Tutu. Picture: Zac Goodwin/PA Wire.
INJURY BLOW: For Jordi Osei-Tutu. Picture: Zac Goodwin/PA Wire.

Tuesday's defeat in Portsmouth was their second on the spin while they have picked up just four points from the last 18 on offer.

"It is a difficult pill to swallow, I thought we would come down here and put a marker down and obviously we haven't. I am hugely disappointed with that," reflected Warne.

"There is a part of me that thinks if we change everything now it could get worse. Tonight was a low point, there is no disputing that.

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"We have still got the opportunity in our hands. We are going to have to go to the drawing board and have a look at something else."

Rotherham return to action on Saturday afternoon as they face Ipswich Town at 12.30pm.