How Rotherham United midfielder Ben Wiles is faring in his recovery from ankle surgery, the 24-man squad list and a Sean Morrison progress report
BEN Wiles is wearing trainers again.
It seems an innocuous event to record but it represents a big step for the Rotherham United player who has been out of action for nearly two months because of the first serious injury of his career.
Suddenly, a first-team return before the end of the season in May seems that bit more possible.
“The moment you see a player in trainers again you start to believe that trainers can quickly turn to football boots,” said manager Matt Taylor, who would love to have the influential 23-year-old back in his squad.
Wiles suffered ankle damage so severe in the Boxing Day draw with Stoke City at AESSEAL New York Stadium that it required surgery.
Whether he can wear a red-and-white shirt again in this Championship campaign remains to be seen but so far his progress has been encouraging.
“He’s had his ‘holiday’ and he’s out of his protective boot and at Roundwood every day,” Taylor said. “Most of his work is with the physios at the moment — he’s breaking down the scar tissue from the surgery — and in the gym.”
The boss, once a pro himself, is in no doubt how much of a psychological lift donning normal footwear has given his midfielder.
“You’re in a cast to start with and that’s the most frustrating thing in the world as a footballer,” he said.
“Then you’ve got one of those ‘air boots’ that you can at least take off and have a shower or a bath.
“Then, at last, you get into trainers and you start your walking pattern. That’s important, especially after ankle injuries. You see if you can walk normally and bear weight, basically.
“Ben’s in a good position but there’s no rush. There will be no pressure put on him.”
Despite his tender years, the midfield dynamo was closing in on 200 Rotherham appearances when he landed awkwardly after contesting a header against the Potters and had to be stretchered out of the Millers’ quest for second-tier stability.
His youth could work to his advantage as he bids re-join that quest at some stage in April.
“He’s young and, the way his body is, we think he’s a quick healer,” Taylor said. “Sometimes it takes a little bit longer for older bodies to come back.
“It would be an added boost for us all if he was available for the last few games. He’ll need a bit of training time before that.”
Wiles had gone three years to the day without missing out on a Rotherham United squad when his Stoke misfortune struck so his physical resilience is unquestioned.
However, the Millers are refusing to expect too much too soon.
“There’s no pressure on Ben from me,” Taylor reiterated. “We just have to wait and see where he’s at as we get towards April.”
One step at a time ... but at least those steps are now being taken in trainers.
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BEN ON THE LIST
ROTHERHAM United named Ben Wiles in the new squad list they submitted to the EFL in the hope he will play again this season.
They included the midfielder to give him an incentive as he bids to come back from ankle surgery.
“The time frame for that injury, subsequent operation and then the recovery process was borderline the end of the season,” said manager Matt Taylor.
“There’s a chance for Ben. We wanted to give him that chance.”
After the close of the January transfer window, every EFL club had to provide a list of players who they can select between now and the close of the 2022/23 campaign.
Twenty-five names is the maximum number and there were 24 on the one compiled by Rotherham who omitted new signing Sean Morrison whose contribution has been brought to a premature close by a quad injury suffered just two games into his Millers career.
Squad list: Cohen Bramall, Conor Coventry, Tom Eaves, Shane Ferguson, Tariqe Fosu, Grant Hall, Wes Harding, Leo Hjelde, Jordan Hugill, Cameron Humphreys, Viktor Johansson, Georgie Kelly, Peter Kioso, Jamie Lindsay, Hakeem Odoffin, Chiedozie Ogbene, Lee Peltier, Domingos Quina, Ollie Rathbone, Josh Vickers, Conor Washington, Ben Wiles, Richard Wood, Bailey Wright.
Under-21 contracted players: Hamish Douglas, Curtis Durose, Robbie Hemfrey, Jake Hull, Ciaran McGuckin, Mack Warne.
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OP HURDLE CLEARED
NEW boy Sean Morrison has begun his rehabilitation after undergoing surgery on a season-ending quad injury.
The 31-year-old centre-half, who joined Rotherham United in the January transfer window after leaving Cardiff City, went under the knife a week last Saturday.
“The procedure has gone as well as it could have done,” said manager Matt Taylor. “The surgeon is confident that the repair took place.
“Now it needs time for the knit to stitch back together and build up in terms of strength.”
Morrison, whose deal runs until the summer, had been a Miller for less than three weeks when he damaged his left quad in two places while kicking a ball in training.
Taylor says the experienced defender will still be an influential figure in the dressing room along with his fellow injury victim, young midfielder Ben Wiles.
“We’ve got two ends of the age spectrum in the gym at the moment, both as frustrated as each other,” the boss said.
“While theyare not playing, both have still got a part to play in creating the environment and the atmosphere we want at the training ground.
“They can calm people down and encourage them when needed and be motivational personnel within our group.”