Vassell surgery blow for Rotherham United as Williams returns for Hull City trip

Vassell has been playing through the pain barrier for a number of weeks, but after the forward went to see a specialist on Monday, an operation has now been scheduled.

Warne said: "He was in London on Monday, seeing a surgeon and will have an operation on Thursday. It is a 'sportsman's groin' type injury and he will be missing for the next four or weeks.

"It is a blow. In fairness, he has been going through the pain for a few weeks now. Me and him had a meeting last week and it was a little emotional as I felt a bit sorry for him.

"He has been in a lot of pain and does not feel like he can move as well as he could.

"There is no point me turning to him on the bench and putting him on and not knowing what I am going to get.

"It makes sense to do it (have an operation). It is just disappointing that we did not get a striker in the window because we have now got a problem. But it is not a problem which is going to break us. It is one of those things."

The blow of losing Vassell is softened slightly by Ryan Williams being in the fray following a hamstring problem, with Warne picking from a relatively strong 20-man squad - albeit with limited options up front.

Meanwhile, Warne is hopeful that Clark Robertson, who injured his ankle in Saturday's draw with Wigan, will be fine for this evening's game at Yorkshire rivals Hull City.