Rotherham United team news: Steve Evans to leave it late on injured pair after naming 22-man EFL squad

And after the Millers' injury problems last season, Evans insists he will not send either out unless 100 per cent ready.

Both will be in the squad which travels south for the game against Charlton Athletic, with Evans only deciding after a final training session whether they are fit to play, such is their important.

The defenders were both signed on free transfer from Portsmouth in the summer but Raggett injured his knee on the opening day of the season, Rafferty his groin.

“Both have been in training this week,” revealed Evans.

“They're top-class players and we've missed them. We're looking forward to having them back.

“It's about the reactions overnight. We had a good training session today (Thursday) with plenty of movement.

"We'll head south tomorrow and train again at real intensity in preparation for Saturday. Then we'll know whether two of the back four of last season's champions are ready to play.

“What we can’t do is play them if they're not ready.

"They're two of the champions from last season for a reason, they're top-class defenders, and we want them available, but only at 100 per cent. The days of playing 60 and 70 per cent and trying to get through are surely gone."

Christ Tiehi is the only other doubt, with a knock, but it is not thought to be a serious threat to his chances of playing at the weekend.

Rotherham have confirmed their 22-man squad of senior outfield players for the remainder of 2024, and have included Andre Green despite the former Sheffield Wednesday forward having not played since October 2023 because of a ruptured tendon.

"Andre's miles away at the minute but we kept him in because we have a real belief we can see him in October/November. If we'd signed two or three players it would have ben a different conversation but he was on the grass all last week and he's training well – not with the group yet," said Evans.

"But the minute you've got Green fit you've got a major asset and November/December are particularly important."

With one slot available, Evans is not ignoring the free agent market, but thinks it is unlikely he will take up the option.

"It's my job to be aware of everything that happens," he said. "The problem you have with that market is probably 95 per cent of those players have not kicked a ball in earnest since April or May – probably longer if they weren't in the plans.

"There are some players who have trained at Championship level and just at the very end weren't offered something.

"We're very aware of what's happening in that market and we can move very quickly if we identify someone."

SQUAD: Cameron Dawson*, Joe Rafferty, Cohen Bramall, Liam Kelly, Sean Raggett, Reece James, Joe Powell, Sam Nombe, Jonson Clarke-Harris, Jordan Hugill, Andre Green, Mallik Wilks, Alex MacDonald, Zak Jules, Shaun McWilliams, Detlef Esapa Osong*, Dillon Phillips*, Joseph Hungbo, Hakeem Odoffin, Jack Holmes, Cameron Humphreys, Christ Tiehi, Jamie McCart, Ben Hatton*, Harry Tchekwa.