Town are still not safe warns manager Powell

Sixteenth-placed Town host fourth-from-bottom Rotherham United in a Yorkshire derby at the John Smith’s Stadium on Saturday, with Powell’s side coming into the game on the back of two heavy away defeats and a run of one win in six matches.

While Town are 11 points above the drop zone, Powell insists his side cannot take their safety as read just yet and let the campaign peter out which possesses plenty of inherent dangers, with a strong finish to the season essential for several reasons.

Powell, who has been critical of his side’s defending this week, confirmed that Joel Lynch is back in training after a groin injury and likely to be available for the Millers game, but Nahki Wells (shoulder) is only in light training and is unlikely to be available at the weekend.

Jack Robinson (knee) will be assessed ahead of the Millers match.

Powell, who says his side must collectively defend much better on the back of shipping seven goals in back-to-back losses to Charlton and Brentford - with only Blackpool having leaked more goals this season - said: “You are never safe until 46 games are done.

“You have to always rely on all eventualities and I am not relying on anyone else, but ourselves. That’s a gimmie, that we must do what we have to do and not rely on others failing because you can get caught out.

“You are never safe until the final whistle blows at Blackpool (Town’s last game of the season), that’s for certain.”