Colchester United v Rotherham United: Revell says Millers will look to put pressure on the leaders

Wolverhampton, Leyton Orient and Brentford have been the trio heading the race for automatic promotion, with Preston and the Millers making up a top-five which has pulled away from the rest of the division.

Rotherham, fresh from a 6-0 mauling of Notts County on Saturday which extended their unbeaten run to nine games, tonight head to struggling Colchester United looking to cut the gap on second-placed Orient to six points with a dozen games remaining.

Centre-forward Alex Revell, the subject of a failed January transfer bid by Coventry, has been one of Rotherham’s stars of the season.

Now the 30-year-old wants back-to-back promotions on his CV after the Millers came up automatically from League Two last term.

Revell, who netted his ninth goal of the season against Notts County, said: “Once we got that first goal we never looked back. It was a great performance.

“The lads all get on and there’s one thing we all want and that’s another promotion.

“We are not just here to come and enjoy ourselves in League One after getting promoted.

“We are all driven people and I think the gaffer has put together that squad, he has recognised the players that want that.

“We are all hungry for success, that brings togetherness and the never-say-die attitude.”

“It’s coming to the crucial part of the season now where people will drop points, and if you get a win it’s vital,” said Revell of tonight’s game.

“It’s out of our hands what (the leaders) do, but if we keep winning then we keep the pressure on them.”

Millers boss Steve Evans will have to make at least one change, with centre-half Kari Arnason on international duty with Iceland.

Fellow defender Claude Davis (ankle) and striker Wes Thomas (thigh) travelled down with the Millers yesterday, but are doubts.

“All we can do is try and close the gap on the teams above us and if they slip up then fantastic,” said Millers assistant manager Paul Raynor. “At the moment we’re just ticking over and trying to keep our unbeaten run going.

“We’ll be reminding the players that Saturday has gone and Colchester is a difficult place to go. They’ve got a good management team and they’ve deserved more than they’ve got recently.”

The Millers will not be in league action this coming weekend as they were due to play Sheffield United, who are on FA Cup duty.

Last six: Colchester United WLDLLL Rotherham United WWWWDW.

Last time: Colchester 2 Rotherham 0, April 29 2006, League One.

Referee: B Malone (Wiltshire).