Rotherham United manager Paul Warne ready to embrace five substitute rule change

All Championship, League One and League Two sides will be able to take advantage of the extra two subs until at least the end of February.

Managers will still only be allowed to make changes on three occasions during the game (plus half-time) but Championship sides will be able to name a 20-man matchday squad.

Manchester City's Pep Guardiola and Liverpool's Jurgen Klopp have been calling for the Premier League to introduce the change, with an unrelenting domestic and European schedule, along with international games, resulting in an increase in injuries.

However, there is the feeling in the top flight that introducing five substitutes would give the top teams an unfair advantage, given their superior strength in depth.

Warne understands that argument and believes top Championship sides will benefit but also feels the rule change can be a good thing for the Millers.

"I'm pretty upbeat about it," said Warne.

"I appreciate the top teams all voted it in but for different reasons. I get that there is more of an arsenal there for them.

"But for myself, there are times when I want to make more changes after I have used all my subs.

"The Nottingham Forest game was one, we were hanging by a thread physically. It will be a help for all of us.

"You could argue it is more advantageous for the big clubs but I think it will suit us.

"The way I ask the lads to play, it does allow me to make more changes and keep them fresh. Now that I have come to terms with it, I quite like it.

"The only thing I have got to remember is I can't make three single substitutes, so I need to think about that strategically.

"It is out of my hands, it is here now, I might as well embrace it."

Rotherham could welcome Joe Mattock back into the side for their trip to Swansea City tomorrow after the defender returned to training this week.

Jamal Blackman is also in contention after struggling with an ankle problem. Warne also provided an update on Kieran Sadlier, who is set to undergo an operation and will be ruled out until February.

He said: “Kieran Sadlier is having an operation on his injury, that doesn’t make any difference as to when he will be able to play, which still rules him out until at least February, which is a big blow for Kieran and a big blow for us.

"Jamal Blackman is back in contention, we’ll see how he does in training today and I’ll have a chat with him later to see how he is.

"Joe Mattock has trained but I will need to make a decision on whether or not to include him. With so many games in the coming weeks I have got to go with a bit of caution."

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