Chelsea prospect big threat to the Millers

The striker, on loan from Premier League Chelsea, has fired 11 goals in 15 games for the Exiles and goes into the game as League One’s second-top scorer.

Expecting the Millers’ rearguard to have their hands full, Evans, who admits his side have done plenty of soul-searching following last weekend’s shock 4-0 home reverse to Swindon, quipped: “I think we will kidnap him and put him on a bus to Southend for the day!

“But joking aside, he is well, well regarded at Chelsea and I know their backroom staff think very highly of him.

“He is an exceptional young player who is a goal-scorer.

“He has got good movement. The nice thing about him is that he has gone away under the radar and is getting on with his job. He is terrific, terrific player.”

Evans’s rival manager Karl Robinson is one of several who have been linked with the Sheffield United post, one of several clubs the Liverpudlian has been tipped to join over the last few years.

It is a recognition of the impressive job he has done in Buckinghamshire, not that Evans expects Robinson to be side-tracked by this week’s talk.

Evans, whose side are unbeaten on the road this term in the league, added: “Karl has been linked with 10 to 15 jobs over the last couple of years and he has consistently got them in and around the play-offs and I think they have been unfortunate at times not to go beyond that.

“I think Karl has done a great job. They are a proper team and they have built that over four to five years. I know Karl thinks this could be their season.

“MK Dons have got a stunning stadium and training ground. Their chairman, Pete Winkelman, is the Tony Stewart of MK Dons. He has built the stadium and put millions into the club.

“They are a similar club in terms of size to us. It will be another real benchmark for us. They are a quality side. They will finish higher in the league than Swindon.”

Midfielder Michael O’Connor is nearing full fitness after shaking off a groin problem and could feature. Claude Davis and David Worrall remain on the sidelines.