Rotherham United boss Paul Warne returned to pre-match media duties ahead of the Wednesday evening clash with Blackpool at AESSEAL New York Stadium.
Ahead of the Sky Bet Championship showdown against the Seasiders, the Millers manager discussed the amendment to the training schedule following last weekend’s postponement as a result of the sad news of the passing of HM Queen Elizabeth II.
Warne also covered topics including Cameron Humphreys and Grant Hall being on the road to recovery, strength in depth in the Millers camp and a return to the club for Tangerines forward and Millers Academy graduate Jerry Yates.
You can read all of the highlights from his interview with iFollow Millers below, with video content to follow shortly HERE.
Warne on managing the training schedule following Saturday's postponement...
"We delayed the start of training on Friday whilst we awaited the decision on the game because we didn't think it would go ahead.
"We did 11 v 11 on Friday and then trained them on Saturday. We didn't bring any fatigue into Monday but they covered the same sort of distances.
"We trained yesterday and we'll train today.
"You get many games called off as a footballer for things from waterlogged pitches to Covid, so it wasn't a massive challenge in terms of training plans really."
Warne on whether he felt the lads would benefit from a weekend without a fixture or not...
"I was quite happy to play the game if that's what had been decided.
"We would have gone into it full of confidence against a very good Sheffield United team. I don't want to wax lyrical about them too much but they are the outstanding team in the league.
"I think when we play Sheffield United, we could be in unbelievable form and they could be having a bad time or they could have all their players back from injury.
"We respect what the authorities chose for us and did so respectfully."
Warne on the squad still being full of confidence...
"The lads are in a good place and they have been since the start of the season.
"We have a mix of numerous characters in here which always helps.
"We've got a bit of experience and they're pleased with their start. I still think it could have been better but that's how I look at life possibly.
"The lads are really positive and are looking forward to the next game. When we get through these two I can give them a couple of days off and some of them will be flying around Europe and then you go through the next chunk of games to the World Cup."
Warne on the postponement meaning that the likes of Hall and Humphreys haven’t missed any more football through injury...
"I spoke to Hally when we trained on Friday - he was standing on the side of the pitch watching it.
"I said that when you're injured, it's great when games get called off because you think you can play a part in more games.
"Those two have trained this week. You win some like that, but the opposition have the same joy of getting players back.
"If we can have a full quota of players it obviously makes my decisions more enjoyable."
Warne on team news...
"There's a couple [of issues] that I don't want to discuss.
"There's nothing too major I don't think and we'll have a good quota of players tomorrow night."
Warne on squad depth making decisions harder but his hand stronger...
"The 11 is always easy to pick so to speak because you pick it for the right reasons.
"It's picking the subs because you have seven to pick and five to use - which is amazing. In fairness, I could have loads more than that.
"In recent weeks I've not had Jamie McCart on the bench and I'd like to have had him on there. I've not had Haks [Odoffin] on the bench and I'd have liked to. I've not had Bola on the bench and I'd have liked to.
"That's the thing when everyone is fit. You do have to leave players out that aren't that far behind the ones who are starting.
"That's the way football squads work and that's probably the harder part, not picking the team but picking the others."
Warne on Blackpool and a return for Jerry Yates...
"I really like Michael [Appleton] and his teams always give us really tough games.
"I think they established themselves really well last season and had a much better season than, respectfully, a lot of people thought they might.
"They had a really good season which means that they have established Championship players.
"They've got Jerry up front. We had a team meeting yesterday and showed them how hard Jerry works and what a good player he is.
"You sort of forget that there are only a few in our dressing room that played with him. He was brilliant here and I loved working with him.
"He actually came back and bought the coaching staff a bottle of champagne each which is really impressive as a character. He's a great kid who has done really well, as I always knew he would.
"I look forward to seeing him before and after the game but I won't enjoy watching him causing my back line any problems!"
