Rotherham United's defensive injuries makes Paul Warne's Brentford juggling act harder still

INJURY: Matthew Olosunde came off with a hamstring injury at home to Bournemouth

All squads across English football are under severe stress at the moment with the fixtures crammed into a smaller amount of time by the Covid-19-delayed start to the season. The Millers are certainly not immune, and have fewer players to call on than many in the Championship.

Asked about the availability of Wood and Olosunde, both of whom have hamstring problems, manager Paul Warne replied: “That's a good question. We're still discussing it. Slim is probably the best way to put it.

“We've trained light and we still haven't made a decision. We'll speak to the players and see how they feel but I honestly do not know.

“But I'm always a half-full kind of guy so I'm positive. If we get both through, that'll be good news.”

Wood, who missed Saturday's 2-2 draw against Bournemouth, and Olosunde, who came off in it, are not the only injuries, with Warne talking about “a few aches and breaks, a few severe issues, a few problems,” but refusing to divulge names.

The Millers finish 2020 with 11 games in 38 days, allowing little time for tired bodies to recover.

“It's the same for everybody,” he said. “It doesn't help with Icky (Ihiekwe) being suspended either. That puts a bit of pressure on and we've got some big long-term injuries we can't use.

“If anyone watched our game against Bournemouth at the weekend, the lads left nothing, they absolutely tanked out then we have to go again on Tuesday against a very good team.

“People are putting their bodies on the line but it's the same for every team, I completely get that, so I'm not complaining.

“But it does make managing the group and picking your best XI more difficult. You might not be able to pick your best XI but although it might be the best XI for Tuesday it might leave us with very little options on Saturday for Coventry.

“You're always picking your team with your main eye on the game ahead of you – in football management you can't expect another game – but you'd be naïve not to have an eye on the game after.

“There's no point me going with people who are carrying injuries and them be out for four weeks, leaving us against Coventry with one defender.”