Rotherham United boss Paul Warne returned to iFollow Millers press duties following the club's Papa Johns Trophy success at Wembley on Sunday as he spoke on Thursday morning to preview the visit of Charlton Athletic.
The Millers manager confirmed bad news for the injured Josh Vickers, who is set to miss the remainder of the 2021/22 campaign, whilst also explaining that Will Grigg will complete the remainder of his rehab away from Roundwood.
Also up for discussion was whether the Wembley win can help lift the club ahead of the final seven regular season games and a chance to preview a battle against an Addicks side who impressed in the reverse fixture at The Valley.
The highlights from the interview are available to view below, with full video content HERE on iFollow Millers now.
Warne on Wembley win giving the team a lift between now and the end of the season...
"It will give the lads a massive lift. Obviously we haven't played a league game for a while so we're still on-target for 92 points with any luck and hopefully that will be enough, but it might not be, and if it isn't then whatever our total is what it is.
"There's loads of good teams in League One winning games, which is what we want to do.
"We've somehow managed to find a way against some really good teams.
"We managed to find a way on Sunday and the lads feel good about themselves and that is important in life and any job that you do, so hopefully we can take that feel-good factor into Saturday and perform and hopefully get our home form back."
Warne on slipping out of the automatic places but the mindset staying the same as it has done all season...
"Nobody in this building was shocked to see Wigan or MK Dons win. It wasn't about those games [on Tuesday] it is about the games going forward.
"However, it is about us winning games.
"We can't affect if MK Dons win their next five - and wow, that is some run-in. If they win 16 out of 18 they'll deserve to go up.
"If they do win the next five, we can draw two and win the next five and still go up.
"The lads have never got away from themselves and I don't think I've ever done a press conference after a win where I've come in bouncing around that we've got it sussed.
"We always knew how difficult it would be and the hardest games are the last games for all of the teams - that's the case for everyone because of the pressure that comes with it.
"I just think we go into it with a smile on our face and as positive as we can."
Warne on having the chance to give his players and staff some 'headspace' ahead of a hectic run-in...
"It has definitely been refreshing.
"At Wembley we had people like Wilesy coming 14/15km over 120 minutes which suggests that there is no issue with them physically.
"They've all been refreshed.
"Unfortunately, we have picked up a couple of issues from the game, nothing major, but a couple nonetheless.
"We're going to though and that is the whole reason that we have the squad that we do.
"There are seven games left, maybe nine, maybe 10 we don't know.
"All we can do is look after our own games as best we can."
Warne confirms Josh Vickers is set to miss the remainder of the campaign through injury...
"He is out for the season.
"His hand is in plaster. He broke his bone on a save in training so unfortunately it has had to go in plaster.
"We weren't sure if there was any miraculous thing that they could do, but with a goalkeeper it is obviously significant.
"Unfortunately he is out for two to three months and if it heals properly he should be okay for pre-season.
"I've got no issue and I can flip a coin on both of them [Josh and Viktor]. It doesn't bother me which one plays. It just gives us a bit of stress over if something happens to Vik now."
Warne on Will Grigg completing his rehabilitation at St. George's Park between now and the end of the season...
"We won't see him at the training ground.
"We've done this whole rehab in collaboration with Sunderland - who are his owners so to speak.
"It has all gone to plan and he's doing really well and he's at St. George's Park now and then back at Sunderland.
"Hopefully we'll still see him at games. He's been really good, he's come to all the games and I think he enjoyed jumping around like a lunatic and getting his nose broken in the celebrations at the weekend."
Warne on whether he wants to reveal the other 'issues' post-Wembley on the injury front...
"Not really. There's nothing I want to share and we'll keep it in-house ahead of the weekend."
Warne on Charlton and reaffirming that professional athletes don't turn up metaphorically 'on the beach' in the modern era...
"I thought Charlton away earlier in the season was probably one of our hardest away games.
"We watched them play against Lincoln on the way down to London at the weekend and Rich went to watch them at Wimbledon.
"They've got Jayden [Stockley] back and [Jake] Forster-Caskey back.
"They've got some outstanding players.
"I know I always speak highly of the opposition, but as we have seen, respectfully, every team can cause you problems.
"They're a really good footballing side, so when we get the ball back we're going to have to be effective."