Return of Evans gives Stewart renewed hope

The Millers have suffered a disappointing start to the season and sit 13th with 15 points from 11 games.

For a team tipped as favourites to win League Two by the bookmakers before a ball had been kicked, United’s current standing in the lower half of the table is a major disappointment.

In mitigation, however, Rotherham have been without Evans for the past six games due to a stadium ban imposed on the Scot by the FA over a charge that related to his time in charge of Crawley Town.

During his absence, the Millers claimed just eight points but chairman Stewart expects all that to change now Evans is back in situ, starting with Saturday’s trip to Aldershot Town.

The United chief said: “We have had the matter with the FA hanging over the club for four months. Then there was the outcome, which was the six-match ban.

“We have to adhere by FA rules, but it hasn’t helped the club at all.

“But now it is over and the gloves are off.

“I don’t like playing catch-up so we need to turn things round. We need to be pushing ahead and asserting our authority.

“We want to get our season going again and Steve being back in the dugout can only help that.

“He is gagging to get back involved on a matchday.

“Steve is someone who kicks every ball and heads every ball. Steve being back is like our rallying call.”

Rotherham’s lowly position is particularly disappointing considering not only the promising start to the campaign they made, but also the huge lift that came via the opening of the New York Stadium.

Stewart added: “We have seen already that we have the players at the club.

“Early in the season, we were playing with a confidence and, as a result, a style not seen at Rotherham for some time.

“Player for player, we have not had such a quality team in a long, long while.

“Last night, (Karl) Arnason was away on international duty playing with Iceland against Switzerland and has been doing well for his country. How many League Two clubs can say that?

“From our perspective, there is no getting away from our league position being a disappointment. But there is still a long way to go.

“Plus, there is still a great feel around the club with the stadium being such a big hit with our fans.”