Paul Warne talks to www.themillers.co.uk...
Rotherham United boss Paul Warne says there are no fresh injury concerns ahead of this weekend’s hosting of Wigan Athletic in Sky Bet League One, despite a bout of illness affecting a number of his players this week.
There was a welcome return to action for club captain Lee Frecklington, who came on as a second half substitute against Shrewsbury Town, but Warne explains that three of his players have had their preparations for the weekend stalled by illness ahead of the clash with the Latics.
“I don't think I've got any fresh injuries. I've got a couple who are struggling and there's been a little bit of illness in camp,” he told www.themillers.co.uk.
“I've had Richie Towell, Newelly and Jono off this week through a similar illness, so I'm hoping we'll get through training today and nobody will break down.
“The lads are looking quite good and we'll go into a meeting today about how Wigan are going to play.
“The team have been performing well I think, but just not picking up enough points. There can be no complaints if there are changes.”
Millers skipper Frecklington has suffered no ill-effects following his appearance as a second half substitute last weekend, which marked his return to action after sustaining injury at Rochdale in early October and he has impressed his boss by the way he has managed his work load this season.
“He came through really well. We're trying to monitor his training load all the time as best we can to try and get the best out of him,” Warne continued.
“It's great to have him back and it's more competition in the middle of the pitch.
"I think this year it's been really easy and he's been excellent. In previous seasons I've always tried to monitor him.
“This year he's had no complaints and we don't let him train on a Monday now, although he would like to. He trained really hard Tuesday but we pulled him out right at the end. My opinion of him is faultless really, so he doesn't need to impress me on a training basis. I need him in my team every game, so whatever that takes and if it means he doesn't train for four days that's fine.”
Meanwhile, Warne will once again be without livewire winger Jon Taylor, who will miss out on Saturday’s game with a knee injury but left back Ben Purrington is nearing a return.
“He won't be available for this weekend and I'm not sure he's going to be available for next weekend. He's damaged his knee so it will probably be after the Bristol Rovers game,” he continued.
“His energy and drive for the team has been unmatchable and we do miss that, but we've got plenty of options out there.
“Ben [Purrington] is close. He's on the grass. He isn't in the squad training and that will be next week but that will be good because we've obviously had problems in full back areas over recent weeks.”