RECAP: Rotherham United 2 Doncaster Rovers 0: Derby defeat for depleted Rovers

After a delay to the kick-off, we’ve finally got the teams on the pitch and ready to go.

Former Rovers forward Kieran Sadlier starts for Rotherham

And it’s TWO changes from the side that started the draw with Portsmouth last weekend.

Out go Tiago Cukur and the injured Tom Anderson with Branden Horton and Matt Smith coming into the side.

So there won’t be a striker in the starting XI, with Cukur the only striking option off the bench.

Matt Smith will be playing as the most advanced midfielder but much of the attacking responsibility will fall to Tommy Rowe and Charlie Seaman.

Thankfully, there are more players available than initially feared, but who knows what condition some of them are in.

And it is a real roll call for who may not be available for Rovers this afternoon.

We know Tom Anderson, Jon Taylor, Jordy Hiwula and Fejiri Okenabirhie are all out with various ankle ailments.

But Kyle Knoyle, Ro-Shaun Williams, Cameron John, John Bostock, Ethan Galbraith and Tiago Cukur are all struggling heading into the fixture.

Of those six, Knoyle seems the most likely to play while Bostock is the least. While Williams has been struggling with a swollen knee, there is a sneaky suspicion that he will be involved.

Wellens has suggested he will stick with the 3-4-3 system he used at Stoke in midweek to combat the Millers’ physical front line and their direct wingers.

There could be any combination within the back three, depending on availability, with Knoyle, Ben Blythe and Branden Horton playing in those positions for the majority of Tuesday night’s game. All will be options to step in should Williams and John be unavailable.

Despite the lack of available senior bodies, we understand Omar Bogle will continue to be sidelined.

It’s fair to say this South Yorkshire derby hasn’t come at the best time for Doncaster Rovers.

Still not fully up to speed, still lacking attacking options, still short of threat in the final third, and with an injury situation that just gets worse.

Not the best condition in which to head to the New York Stadium for what should be a tasty affair.

On top of four confirmed longer term absentees, Rovers could be without half a dozen more senior players to face their closest rivals this season, forcing changes of plans and a different approach.

The hoped-for new additions have not arrived in time, leaving hope firmly with the injury picture.

We are likely to see a switch to a 3-4-3 system which Wellens deployed against Stoke City to decent success.

As for Rotherham, they have enjoyed a steady start to the season and will no doubt provide a tough test with their tenacity and directness set to provide Rovers with a few headaches.