Midfielder doubtful but Morgan returns...
Rotherham United Manager Steve Evans says Michael O’Connor is a doubt for Saturday’s home game against Notts County following a strain picked up in the reserve team game at Doncaster.
The Millers were held to a 0-0 draw in the Final Third Development league, with O’Connor completing 90 minutes, but the Millers boss was left frustrated as the midfielder was forced out of action Thursday morning.
“The only little problem we have coming out of that game was Michael O’Connor who picked up a back strain and had to sit out of training (yesterday),” Evans told Millers Player. “That’s a concern as we prepare towards the weekend because you want your players on the training ground on a Thursday and Friday.”
O’Connor has made just one start since the end of November, and has a task on his hand competing with loanee Richie Smallwood, in-form Lee Frecklington and the returning Rob Milsom for a place in the heart of the Millers’ midfield. However, Evans has complimented the mentality and performance of the Northern Ireland international in recent weeks.
“He’s not just been knocking on the door, he’s been knocking it down which is good. I can’t fault his attitude and performance, the sulk has gone about not being in the team, although every player has it, just look at Wayne Rooney at Manchester United. With Michael he’s really regained his focus in the last 10 days to two weeks but it’s a shame now he’s in the treatment room.”
On a positive note, captain Craig Morgan made his comeback in the match, which also saw the ‘debut’ of One Direction’s Louis Tomlinson, and the Millers boss was pleased that he came through the encounter unscathed.
“It will have surprised a few people,” Evans added. “It’s the first game he’s played since New Year’s Day, so it’s been two calendar months out due to injury and illness. He came back and looked as though he’d never been away although the opposition he faced aren’t League One standard strikers yet, they’re still developing but he looked as though he’d never been away. Rob (Milsom) has come through fine, he trained this morning and is good as gold.”
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