Thomas will terrify Millers’ rivals – Evans

ROTHERHAM United manager Steve Evans is confident new signing Wes Thomas will test rival defences between now and the season’s end.
Rotherham United manager Steve Evans.Rotherham United manager Steve Evans.
Rotherham United manager Steve Evans.

The Bournemouth striker joined the Millers in midweek, signing for the rest of the campaign having elected to drop down into League One despite rumoured interest from Championship sides.

Evans feels he has landed a gem which just needs polishing, a similar scenario to when he brought Wigan’s Nouha Dicko to South Yorkshire with impressive, if brief, effect.

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Thomas, 26, could make his debut at Greenhous Meadows this afternoon, with Evans confident he can take out his frustration on defences after just two starts for the Cherries in 2013-14.

Evans, who worked with Thomas at previous club Crawley 
after signing him from Cheltenham, predicted: “I know Wes will absolutely terrify defenders in League One.

“The minute they see his name on the team-sheet, they will know, least of all, that they are in for a very, very industrious afternoon.

“We know Wes is also always likely to get a goal. He had solid Championship interest and I was well aware of that, not from Wes or his representatives, but from the people down at Bournemouth and from the other clubs.

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“We’ve added in Miles (Addison), Tom (Hitchcock) and Wes, three young lads who we know will run through brick walls to be successful in football matches.

“Added to the abilities they have got, they are the types we need.”

On the prospect of Thomas sticking around at Rotherham beyond the Spring, a circumspect Evans added: “We’ll see where it goes, whether we want it or he wants it. It gives us time.”

Evans has also signed West Ham youngster Blair Turgott on a youth loan.

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The former Colchester United and Bradford City loanee, 19, made his senior debut for West Ham in their recent FA Cup match with Nottingham Forest.

“We have been monitoring the situation closely and we are delighted to add him to our squad,” said Evans.

Evans says he has fielded and turned down offers for a couple of his players – Ben Pringle and Kieron Agard are believed to be drawing admiration and interest – but is coming under no pressure to sell.