Danny Ward and Joe Newell set to return to action...
Neil Redfearn says that strength in numbers will be important to the Millers’ success this season as a number of players progress on the injury front ahead of his side’s clash with Derby County at the iPro Stadium this weekend.Danny Ward returns to the fray for the first time since sustaining a back injury in the warm up at Brentford while Joe Newell is set to be included in Redfearn’s squad for the first time since the new manager arrived at the club.
The Millers have had a full week to prepare for the short hop to Derbyshire since their meeting with Sheffield Wednesday on Sky last week and Redfearn is pleased with the progress in the treatment room in that time.
“If you look from the outset of last week, we had three games in six days and we didn’t have Danny Ward, Lee Frecklington, Joe Newell or Joe Mattock and for one of the games we didn’t have Richie either,” he told www.themillers.co.uk
“It’s important that we get our better players back and we get them fit. Then obviously, when we’ve got that strength in numbers again we can talk about moving forward.”
Redfearn’s attacking options will be bolstered by the returns of Danny Ward and Newell as the Millers prepare to lock horns with the Rams and has hinted that their availability will give him the opportunity to change things at the weekend.
“They’re available so that strengthens our hand and it could possibly make us look a little bit different as well. That’s a real plus for us because it’s going to be a tough game but we’re expecting to give them a tough game.
“He’s [Danny Ward] got himself back right and it’s settled down to the point where he is pain free and he’s got no tightness and he’s trained all week and he looks fine.
“He’s [Danny Ward] another goal threat and he’s someone that is capable of scoring and creating goals.”
Redfearn went on to explain that club captain Lee Frecklington will once again miss out on the action but is nearing a return to first team action and is expected to resume full training early next week.
“He is and the lad is desperate to play,” Redfearn enthused.
“We’re hoping that he is going to resume training on Monday so that’s another plus for us. He’s a player that’s a mainstay and a person that has been playing regular first team football.”
Meanwhile, the Millers will be forced to make a change to their defensive setup at the iPro Stadium with Farrend Rawson ruled out due to a clause in his loan agreement meaning he cannot face his parent club.
“It’s important when these opportunities come up that the lads that come in take that opportunity and grasp it. We’re having to change the back four around and if we can perform how we know we can perform with the players that we put in and keep a clean sheet then those boys will keep the shirt."