Rotherham United boss Paul Warne has hinted that the physical output coupled with the hours of travelling during this week’s double-header of long-haul away trips to AFC Bournemouth and Norwich City will likely spell changes in personnel at Carrow Road on Saturday.
The Millers turned in a typically tireless display on the South Coast, running Premier League hopefuls Bournemouth close where they were edged out by a solitary goal at the Vitality Stadium, but after a four-hour return journey on Thursday and another three at least to spend on the bus en-route to Norfolk, Warne admits that he is aware of the potential need to freshen up his squad.
"We'll probably have to make some changes because we cannot put that amount of effort in, game upon game upon game.
"As much as I want the lads to do it, we can't.
"It is a case of getting up in the morning, having a look at them, let them have a day of rest and then train again Friday.
"Then quelle surprise we're back on the team bus.”
Warne, who made a number of changes during a similarly congested fixture schedule to great effect for the winning trip to Preston North End recently, is well-aware of the need to have a properly conditioned squad ready to face another side looking to get back to the top flight at the earliest opportunity.
"Norwich is a big ground when you don't get the ball, so we need to formulate a good plan,” he continued.
"We'll look at Saturday when we have to and I know they beat Coventry in midweek, so it wasn't the worst result for us.
"Away at Norwich is probably the hardest place to go on the back of a really physically draining game at Bournemouth.”