Millers get green light to replace injured Randall

Manager Ronnie Moore pulled off a major coup to land the Arsenal midfielder, 21, on a three-month loan deal last week.

But scans yesterday confirmed that Randall will miss tonight's home game with Macclesfield and is unlikely to be available again before Christmas.

"It's a real shame because Mark is a fantastic player," said Moore. "We have got him until January 25 but that's a long chunk without him."

Moore beat off competition from five Championship clubs to land Randall who has made 13 first-team appearances to date for the Gunners.

His debut against Southend United last weekend lasted just 21 minutes, however, before injury struck during an aerial challenge.

Moore has already been given permission to re-enter the loan market for a replacement by chairman Tony Stewart.

"He knows that we still need a midfielder who is going to get his foot on the ball and pass it," said Moore.

"That's good news for everyone and will put pressure on my chief scout to come up with a few names."

The Millers will be looking to avoid a third consecutive defeat tonight at Don Valley Stadium after slipping to fifth in the table at the weekend.

Opponents Macclesfield are mid-table but have beaten play-off chasers Oxford United and Burton Albion in the last few weeks.

"We know that Saturday's performance was not good enough but we have to put that behind us," said Moore reflecting on the 1-0 defeat at Southend. "It was our worst performance of the season and we are miles better than that.

"We will need to up our effort and tempo because Macclesfield are a big strong side. But if we play like I know we can, this is a game we can win," he insisted.

The Millers have waved farewell to on-loan defender Exodus Geohagon whose loan deal from Peterborough United has expired.

Moore is still keen to sign the player on a permanent basis but is refusing to meet the current asking price of 100,000.

Geohaghon's departure is offset by the return of captain Ryan Cresswell who missed Saturday's game with a back problem while Nick Fenton also returned to action at the weekend after a lengthy lay-off.

Moore said: "We missed Ryan but that's not the reason we have been conceding goals."

Last six games: Millers DWDWLL, Macclesfield WLLWLW.

Last time: March 23, 2010; League Two.

Referee: NS Miller (County Durham).