Rotherham v Bristol R preview
Last Updated: January 25, 2013 1:16pm
Claude Davis: Faces late test for Millers
Team news for Saturday's League Two clash between Rotherham and Bristol Rovers at New York.
Rotherham manager Steve Evans will assess Claude Davis before deciding whether to hand his new signing a debut.
The 33-year-old defender joined the Millers from Crawley on an 18-month deal earlier in the week and could make his bow alongside Johnny Mullins if he comes through training this week.
Versatile Iceland international Kari Arnason will return to the side after a one-match suspension, meaning Craig Morgan (foot) and goalkeeper Scott Shearer (elbow) are the only absentees for Evans, who has allowed Ian Sharps and Lionel Ainsworth to leave the club on loan this week.
Top scorer Daniel Nardiello was left out for the dismal defeat against Barnet a fortnight ago, which saw the Millers drop out of the automatic promotion places, and Evans could be tempted to recall him up front.
The New York pitch has been cleared following heavy snowfall, meaning the game should not be in doubt unless there is further adverse weather before Saturday.
Bristol Rovers' two new additions are set to come straight into John Ward's squad.
Striker Ryan Brunt, a midweek signing from Stoke, and defender Clayton McDonald, on loan from Port Vale, are both likely to be involved.
John-Joe O'Toole is is scheduled to play the last game of his initial one-month loan spell and is scheduled to return to his parent club next Tuesday.
Jim Paterson is sidelined with a hamstring complaint but Ward's options are boosted by the return of striker David Clarkson following a month-long absence because of an ankle injury.
Rovers are currently two points from safety at the foot of the table but they can take heart from two wins in their last three games and the fact they did the double over the Millers last season.
Matches
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npower League 2
Table
npower League 2
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gillingham | 46 | 83 |
| 2 | Rotherham United | 46 | 79 |
| 3 | Port Vale | 46 | 78 |
| 4 | Burton Albion | 46 | 76 |
| 5 | Cheltenham Town | 46 | 75 |
| 6 | Northampton Town | 46 | 73 |
| 7 | Bradford City | 46 | 69 |
| 8 | Chesterfield | 46 | 67 |
| 9 | Oxford United | 46 | 65 |
| 10 | Exeter City | 46 | 64 |
| 11 | Southend United | 46 | 61 |
| 12 | Rochdale | 46 | 61 |
| 13 | Fleetwood Town | 46 | 60 |
| 14 | Bristol Rovers | 46 | 60 |
| 15 | Wycombe Wanderers | 46 | 60 |
| 16 | Morecambe | 46 | 58 |
| 17 | York City | 46 | 55 |
| 18 | Accrington Stanley | 46 | 54 |
| 19 | Torquay United | 46 | 53 |
| 20 | AFC Wimbledon | 46 | 53 |
| 21 | Plymouth Argyle | 46 | 52 |
| 22 | Dagenham & Redbridge | 46 | 51 |
| 23 | Barnet | 46 | 51 |
| 24 | Aldershot Town | 46 | 48 |
