Steve Evans gives www.themillers.co.uk an injury update...
Rotherham United will wait on the fitness of duo Richie Smallwood and Joe Mattock ahead of the Sky Bet Championship meeting with Fulham at AESSEAL New York Stadium on Saturday.Boss Steve Evans is hopeful the pair will have recovered from their injuries in time to feature at the weekend, but admitted that Lee Frecklington is likely to miss out on the clash with the Cottagers after sustaining a dead leg against Norwich City in midweek.
“He’s doubtful. He’s got a dead leg when he’s just stretching and the boy gets round to his thigh and everyone over the years who plays sport will have had a dead leg at some stage and knows it’s pretty sore,” he explained.
“Sometimes these things clear up but I’d say he’s doubtful for Saturday. If he misses the weekend he’ll be ready in two weeks when we start again.”
Mattock last featured against Preston North End in a game that saw him substituted, with Smallwood last in action at Loftus Road where he was withdrawn at the interval.
“Joe is 70/30. He’s trained today. He’s not done a lot but we’ll see how he is tomorrow.
“Richie is the same. We’ll see how he is tomorrow as well. He’s looked sharp this morning along with Joe but they have to wake up feeling right. If there’s any doubt they’re out.”
The Millers’ boss is looking forward to a scenario when he has all his players available for selection following an unlucky start to the season on the injury front.
“We’ve never had a clean bill of health. We’ve had different players injured at different times. Lewis Buxton wasn’t fit but we got him fit. Joe Mattock was fit then was out again with a different little injury but he’s just about there now.
“We’re quickly getting one or two others up to speed fitness-wise. Young Faz Rawson has come in and didn’t have much of a pre-season so we’re working hard to get him up to speed but we’re just about there now and Chris Maguire was the same.”