Rotherham United have perhaps not got off to the start they would have hoped for in their return to League One football. Three of their stars are currently sidelined and could miss next Saturday’s trip to Wycombe Wanderers.
Summer signings Sean Raggett, Joe Rafferty and Joe Hungbo all missed the Millers’ 0-0 draw with Bristol Rovers.
Rafferty and Hungbo both picked up injuries in their opening day fixture against Exeter City, with the former suffering from a groin problem and the latter a knock to the ankle. Whereas Raggett twisted his knee in the EFL Cup victory over League Two side Crewe Alexandra.
Speaking about the loss of the three manager Steve Evans (via the Rotherham Advertiser) added:
“Joe Rafferty and Sean Raggett are two League One winners,”
“They’re big players to go without. Joe Hungbo is a big player for us too, he is so talented.”
There is a possibility that the trio could be back in time for next week’s trip to Wycombe Wanderers, however it remains to be seen if they will reach the 100% fitness Evans demands:
“There’s a possibility they’ll be ready for Wycombe,”
“We’ll know better on Wednesday/Thursday.
“If there’s any doubt, they won’t be included. As I said to Sean, we need them back 100 per cent or not back at all.”
The club had faced criticism for its handling of injuries last season, which saw the club relegated from the Championship.
“The coaching staff and the medical team have managed the boys really well compared to ‘Emergency Ward 10’ last year,”
“We’re nothing like that now.”
Slow to get started
Evans has the task of turning around a side that went out of the second tier with little fight last year. The former Stevenage boss is superb at getting a side hard to beat and fighting for every last point, something we haven’t seen in the first two games of the season.
Although League One is incredibly tight this year, as one of the favourites for an immediate return to the Championship, Bristol Rovers and Exeter City are two of the sides they would have been hoping to beat. Fellow relegated sides Huddersfield Town and Birmingham City are both still unbeaten, despite the latter drawing in its opening fixture.
Evans will be wanting to avoid a slow start and having to play catch up for the rest of the season.