Millers v Silkmen Preview

Rotherham United are starting their festive games by travelling to Moss Rose to take on Macclesfield Town.
The Millers go into this Boxing Day game six places and seven points in front of the Silkmen and on the back of two league wins.

Macclesfield haven't won a league game since October which was a one-nil win at Moss Rose against Bradford City.

After their loss to Shrewsbury, Town's Manager, Gary Simpson, said his players looked 'tired' and gave them two days off while Millers Manager, Andy Scott, admitted that his side had a 'slice of luck' in their one-nil win over Wimbledon last weekend at Don Valley.

Gary Simpson - We've got to be able to keep the ball, as if you can't keep the ball it doesn't matter what formation you play, you're going to struggle.

Andy Scott - Macclesfield make it very hard for you and, whenever I`ve been, it`s always been a tough game. They`ve got young players as well as experience and they have a lot of energy and are very hard working and will give everything they`ve got. You`ve got to be mentally right and approach the game properly and we are making sure we go into the game knowing that those three points are vital for us.

Gary Simpson is hoping to have Lewis Chalmers back in the squad after the midfielder has been sidelined for the last few weeks. Sixteen year old centre-half, George Whiteoak is drawing attention and rumours have it that the lad is being carefully watched by some Premiership clubs, and it is thought that he is in line for his first team debut. Whether that will be against the Millers we will have to wait and see. But the Silkmen will be without Dan Tomlinson, although he has started to jog, this game will be too soon for him although Elliot Hewitt could be in the squad.

Young defender and is seen as a key member of the Silkmen's back line although can also play in midfield.

Rotherham will be without Luke Foster who has had a knee operation and is out for the rest of the season and, although long-termed injured, Ryan Cresswell and Mark Bradley are making good progress, this game will be too soon for them to be involved and it is very doubtful that Guy Branston, on loan from Bradford, will be in the starting line-up. Andy Scott is likely to go with the same side that beat Wimbledon last weekend.

Johnny is probably at his best at the moment for the Millers and recently scored his first two goals of the season - which isn't bad for a defender playing in midfield!

Scott Mathieson from Cheshire

The Millers travel to Cheltenham on FRIDAY, 30th December for a 7.45pm kick-off game

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