Steve Evans talks to Millers Player HD...
Rotherham United boss Steve Evans will assess the fitness of Lee Frecklington, Joe Mattock and Joe Newell ahead of the Sky Bet Championship fixture with Queens Park Rangers tomorrow.
The trio have been watched carefully today by the Millers coaching staff, with boss Evans confirming that all three were carrying slight injuries following the game with Preston North End on Tuesday night.
The Millers head to Loftus Road looking for their first victory in the league this season, with Evans looking to improve on the point gained on Tuesday night.
“Joe [Mattock] had a tight quad but we are hoping he will come through training today,” Evans told Millers Player HD.
“It is the same for Joe Newell who just got a kick late on (against Preston). Lee Frecklington’s groin was sore during the game but we had made all our substitutions so he had to go through it.
“We are hopeful that all three of those lads will train and if they train they will obviously be on the coach to go to Queens Park Rangers. If at any stage in training they are not quite right, then obviously if you are not right today you certainly won’t be right tomorrow.”
There was better news on the injury front with striker Danny Ward, who missed the game with Preston, with Evans confirming he is available for selection.
“Danny Ward was close (on Tuesday) but he wasn’t right,” Evans admitted.
“He couldn’t properly sprint or turn in different directions, but he is fit now.”
The Millers have had a mixed start to the campaign but Evans will be looking to build on the performance the last time they were on their travels, with his side unfortunate not to take anything from a spirited performance against Nottingham Forest.
“We deserved to get beaten by MK Dons and have taken that, but we should have taken something at the City Ground against Forest, and we went into the game with Preston with a lot of mental pressure,” Evans added.
“Against Preston the performance for 70 minutes wasn’t where it needed to be. The last 20 was much more like us, however we were still not making enough clear cut chances to say it was a good performance, but it’s always a good day at the end of it when you get a point in the Championship.”