Rotherham United receive welcome news regarding midfielder

The experienced schemer underwent a scan on Monday after complaining of a calf issue, but fortunately, they revealed no tear.

Given the fact that the Millers face an arduous schedule between now and the next international break in March and are without Jamie Lindsay for up to ten weeks with a hamstring injury, it is a welcome development for Warne, whose side make the long trip to Bournemouth this afternoon ahead of Wednesday night’s game.

Warne said: “The only real doubt from Shauny Mac. He struggled in training (yesterday) and felt a bit of pain in his calf. He got scanned yesterday and got the all-clear last night and he will train with the squad.

“It is a massive bonus. Not just from his playing prowess, but him being in the squad and team has a massive impact on the group as he is a really good leader who has been there and done that and the younger ones definitely look up to him. It is great news.

“We have no other issues and everyone is quite keen to play. They had a weekend at home with their families and were quite glad to come back in and run around (on Monday).”

Warne has also professed to a certain amount of relief at his players being able to train on the grass on Monday with the training ground surface having thawed after Baltic temperatures which have hit Yorkshire over the past week.

Warne said: “It has been awkward as the training ground was frozen and we had to train on Astro and some of our senior players did not train at all.

“Then, I just let them have a weekend at home with their families which is as good as training in my eyes and fortunately, we were back on the grass on Monday and had a hard session.

“It is just trying to top the lads up when we can. The lads who are playing look after themselves, really and just need to play and smile during the week. But for the ones who are on the periphery who are going to play a massive part going forward, you need to keep on top of them.

“With the condition that they have been for everyone over the last few weeks, it has been difficult. But hopefully now, the weather will improve significantly and we can get back into it a little bit more.”