Preview – Rotherham At Home To Stoke

Rotherham United take on Stoke City this evening for what will be just their second visit to the New York Stadium.

An away win on Saturday at Derby saw the Millers move up a place with the same tonight moving them out of the relegation zone.  The Potters are in eighth place in the Championship coming into this game having taken the lead away at Blackburn on Saturday but ending the game with a point from a one-one draw.

Stoke are yet to win in 2021 with their last away win coming at Reading in November.  This will be Rotherham’s first home game of the year their last one being the South Yorkshire derby at the end of 2020 which ended two-one to Barnsley.

Rotherham Manager Paul Warne spoke to the Official Site saying that both teams will be going for the win and also said that Stoke have one of the best defence records in the league going on to add, ‘in addition to that they still hold a goal threat.’


The Millers are hoping that Wes Harding, Richard Wood and Jamie Lindsay will have recovered from knocks to be in the starting eleven tonight. Some good news for Millers fans to hear is that both Kieran Sadlier and Cheo Ogbene will probably being introduced to training before the end of the week although it will be a while before they are included in the match day squad.

City Manager Michael O’Neill told their Official Site that being a promoted team every game is a ‘cup final’ for Rotherham saying, ‘they got a big three points on Saturday and we are going to have to make sure we are right for this game. Rotherham have a direct style of play and we will have to match their battling qualities.’


After serving a one match ban for breaking Covid-19 rules, James McClean is available but James Chester is missing after being red-carded at the weekend.  Although Nick Powell limped off on Saturday he is included in the squad and Steven Fletcher has recovered sufficiently from a groin strain to also be included.  Not being back long from injury and mindful of having a three-game week, Joe Allen could be rested.

Matthew Donohue from Greater Manchester has the whistle this evening.