Rotherham United dare to dream as just six games remain to ensure Championship survival

Wednesday evening’s Championship showdown sees Rotherham United host Middlesbrough in the first of six remaining games for the Millers – each one crucial as Paul Warne’s side attempt to climb out of the relegation zone for the first time since December.

United sit 22nd in England’s second tier, four points off safety but have a huge two games in hand, which if used to their advantage could send Derby County down in to the relegation zone alongside Sheffield Wednesday and Wycombe Wanderers.

Millers boss Warne is unsure whether Joe Mattock will be available for the fixture, but added having the defender back in the side is a ‘good thing’ and he’d like to include him in the match day squad.

“The sooner we can include Joe Mattock back in the team is a good thing. Whether Wednesday will be too soon, I don’t know. We’ve got to get through training today and have a look at a few options there, but I would like to include Joe in.”

The manager, who made 232 appearances for Rotherham over the course of six years from 1999-2005, is looking forward to welcoming Neil Warnock back to the New York Stadium where he managed for a short period in 2016.

“In fairness, I’ve got a lot of time for the Gaffer [Neil Warnock], and Jeppo [Ronnie Jepson] and Blacky [Kevin Blackwell]. Since they’ve left I’ve always kept in contact with them. It will be nice to play them and nice to see them. They’ve been really supportive of what we’re trying to do here.”

It looks as if the last remaining relegation place will go to either Derby or Rotherham, with Sheffield Wednesday and Wycombe’s exits all but confirmed (minus a miracle).

The South Yorkshire side face a tough run of fixtures upcoming, with trips to Play-Off contenders Barnsley and Brentford on the horizon in the next few weeks.

Boro sit 11th in the table, seeming confident to seal a top-half finish by the season’s end. Recruitment for next season is already underway at the Riverside Stadium, first team coach Ronnie Jepson missing the trip to Rotherham by way of a scouting trip.

“We’re in a great position where we can look to clear the decks and start with a squad that I feel will be good enough to compete at the top,” the boss said in his press conference. “We’re talking all the time. Ronnie Jepson has been abroad looking at games, so he won’t be on the bench on Wednesday night.

Warnock also confirmed Nathaniel Mendez-Laing will miss the occasion having not played since an away defeat to Bournemouth at the start of April, but may be available for games against Luton and Wycombe towards the final games of the campaign.

If results go the Reds’ way, the North Yorkshire side could move up as far as tenth but a result is undoubtedly much more meaningful for the hosts as they aim to protect their place in the Championship for next season.