Rotherham United v Leeds United: Timely break welcomed by Millers' boss Warnock ahead of run-in

“The break came at a good time,” said the Millers chief ahead of the Championship resuming today. “I was knackered, and so were the lads. They had put so much into recent games that they needed time away with their families. Now, though, we are back and training has been excellent.

“This is a really genuine group of lads but the hardest part of the season starts now. No doubt about that. We have to get enough points from these eight games to keep us in the Championship. I am glad it is Leeds up next. From a manager’s point of view, no-one needs motivating for this one.”

Today will see Steve Evans make his first return to the New York Stadium since being dismissed in September. He needs a positive result after the 4-1 derby loss to Huddersfield Town but Warnock insists today is all about the players.

“Both managers want to win but it is all about the players,” he said. “I can’t worry about other managers or what might happen to them. It is all about doing your own job.”

Warnock, of course, was not so long ago in charge of Leeds. He spent 14 months at the helm but a hoped for eighth career promotion proved elusive, much to his continued frustration.

“It was disappointing,” added the 67-year-old to The Yorkshire Post. “One of my regrets is I didn’t get enough of the (Robert) Snodgrass transfer fee (when he joined Norwich City) to give us a chance. If ‘Snod’ had stopped, we’d have had a chance.

“We weren’t far away. I think of the Cup wins over Everton and Spurs. Plus, that first half against Chelsea. The atmosphere that night was just incredible. We just couldn’t push on, it was a real shame.”