Rotherham United are back in league action this weekend after becoming this season’s Papa John’s Trophy winners with Charlton Athletic the visitors at the New York Stadium.
Having had no league games for twenty-one days the Millers find themselves dropping out of the top two automatic places but with the last home game being a three-nil loss to Shrewsbury Town they have a point to prove.
Charlton are in fifteenth place in League One with their last game seeing them gain a point away at Wimbledon, the Addicks last away win coming at the end of March when they won one-nil against our neighbours Doncaster Rovers.
The Millers will be without Josh Vickers with Viktor Johansson taking over in goal. Both Freddie Ladapo and Ollie Rathbone came back from Wembley with issues but have trained. Missing out due to suspension is defender Angus MacDonald.
Speaking to Radio Sheffield ahead of the game Millers Manager Paul Warne commented that it is a boost getting the win on Sunday. ‘But that day has gone,’ Warne said, ‘but if the players want to give their families and friends something else to celebrate then they have got seven selective opportunities to make it happen. We’ve just got to look after ourselves, we can’t worry about the other teams chasing, although they are in unbelievable form, but the three home games are crucial and we could do with a really good performance this weekend.’
Going on to talk about this weekend’s opposition, the Gaffer said, ‘Charlton are a really good footballing side and have some outstanding players, some unbelievable individuals. I thought our away game at Charlton was one of the hardest away games we’ve had all season, they were excellent. It is going to be a tough game.’
Charlton look like being without defender Sam Lavelle after he came away from the draw at Wimbledon with a shoulder injury while Deje Elerewe is out with a knee injury. Also missing is centre-back Ryan Inniss who is out suspended.
Speaking to South London Press Addicks Manager Johnny Jackson said that he is proud of his side’s work ethic saying, ‘they are giving me everything.’ Going on to talk about the game, Jackson said, ‘ We aren’t going up there just to make the numbers up and we will be trying to win. At the Valley earlier this season it was a really competitive game and one we were unlucky not to win in the end. If we had everyone available it would be a difficult game and it won’t help matters that they (Rotherham) dropped out of the top two this week because they will be looking to be right at it. But so will we.’
Ross Joyce from Cleveland has the whistle on Saturday.
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