Shearer welcomes pressure that Evans’s return will put on Millers

The passionate Millers chief has cut a helpless figure on match-days for the past month while serving a six-match stadium suspension, having been found guilty by the Football Association of using abusive and insulting words and behaviour with a reference to gender while managing former club Crawley Town in a game at Bradford City in March.

That ban has now been completed with Evans set to return to the dugout for Saturday’s match at Aldershot.

It cannot come a moment too soon according to goalkeeper Shearer, who Evans bought from Crawley in the summer, especially with pre-season favourites Millers having won just twice in his absence and having dropped to 13th spot in League Two.

On the return of Evans, who has let his players know in no uncertain terms he expects a big reaction following last weekend’s 3-0 home loss to Southend United, which he branded as inept, Shearer said: “Steve is a lunatic. I’m sure he comes across as a headcase on the sidelines but, in a one-on-one situation, he is a good guy to talk to.

“Every manager has different methods and works in different ways. Steve’s passion rubs off on the team. He puts pressure on you to perform every time you go out there.”

Barnsley’s attempt to sign Wayne Rooney’s younger brother John is on hold due to a problem with international clearance.

Former Macclesfield midfielder Rooney, 21, who impressed boss Keith Hill on trial, had recently been playing for Orlando City.

Club director Don Rowing said: “We’ve hit a problem with the American FA, who can’t yet give clearance. Rooney had been playing in America and we were under the impression he had been out of work prior to August 31 when the window closes, but our application has come back showing an error.

“The deal isn’t dead, but if necessary we may have to sign him in January.”

Huddersfield Town midfielder Oscar Gobern has undergone ankle surgery.