Bolton Wanderers v Rotherham United: Matt Hamshaw vows to tread carefully with Sam Nombe
It is one of Christmas’ biggest tradition – toys already broken by Boxing Day.
Having finally got Sam Nombe, fit after a quad injury, Rotherham United manager Matt Hamshaw is determined to make sure his star striker is back for the season, not just for Christmas.
Nombe came off the bench and scored the Millers' consolation goal at home to Huddersfield Town last week. But he is set to be on the bench again for the Boxing Day game at Bolton Wanderers, even though Hamshaw could really do with a win in Lancashire.
"I've said what a big player he is, we can't (just start him) for short-term (gain)," said his manager.
"Every decision I make here has got to be in the long-term interests of this football club. Some people don't like that.
"I got a bit of stick for bringing him on after an hour on Saturday but I can't just keep throwing him out and expect him to be all right.
"He's that important to us so we need to nurture him.
"He came on on Saturday and he had our only shot on target.
"We're struggling in the final third. That'll be one area we have to work on in January.
"I think when he's on the pitch, you can see a different mindset."
At the same time, the Millers cannot afford to take the toughness of Jordan Hugill, who has played through injuries whilst other Millers forwards have dropped like flies this season.
"Jordan can't keep playing 90s, 90s, 90s," insisted Hamshaw.
"To get the best Hugill, you need to start him in the odd game, you need to bring him on in others. Certainly in the last half an hour of games, when crosses are coming into the box, he'll be a threat.
"We got through a period where we did well with a lot of injuries. I think it's caught up with us a bit.
"I've just got to be careful to not rush players because if I rush them, I'm going to end up in the same predicament."