Paul Warne talks to www.themillers.co.uk...
Rotherham United boss Paul Warne says he will allow his returning internationals extra time away from the club’s Roundwood training base, following their involvement with their respective nations over the weekend.
The Millers manager, whilst proud of his players for their recognition with Wales, Nigeria and Slovakia respectively, admitted he was relieved to hear that they are currently set to return to South Yorkshire injury-free, and explained that they will be granted some time off ahead of another important second tier challenge at Pride Park on Saturday.
Midfielder Will Vaulks started Wales' game against Trinidad and Tobago, before coming on as a substitute in their 1-0 win over Slovakia, for whom, Marek Rodak was on the bench. The Fulham loanee was also an unused substitute in his nation's 2-0 win over Hungary last week. Meanwhile, Semi Ajayi came on as a substitute in both of Nigeria's wins over Seychelles and Egypt whilst away on international duty.
“It is great for them, but more importantly for us from a selfish point of view they'll return in good fettle,” Warne told www.themillers.co.uk.
“I'll give them a couple of extra days off because they'll need it, but they should be back with us Thursday injury free. I don't know of any complaints or issues really, so we'll go into the game with Derby in good health.
“Will obviously played in the first game and then came on in the second one. It is great for him, and it is something that is richly deserved.
“Semi is almost a seasoned campaigner now as far as internationals go, he's had some action for Nigeria which is also great for him.
“Marek has been on the bench for Slovakia, and they played against Wales, so he got to see Will.”
Warne has stayed true to his ethos of allowing his players time off to during the international breaks to allow them to reset ahead of the next block of fixtures, but continued to add that the final chapter of the 2018/19 season will be the most important, as they once again gear up their efforts to maintain their place in the Sky Bet Championship.
"We'll do a presentation to the lads on Thursday regarding this last part of the season, obviously stating the importance,” he explained.
“All the hard work they have done since they did their close season programmes in June, all accumulates for these last eight games.
“Last season we were fortunate enough to finish in good form. We felt going into this international break, we were in good form.”