Crooks could keep place for crucial Millers clash

Posted Saturday, April 20, 2019 by PA

Matt Crooks will be hoping he has done enough to keep his place in Paul Warne’s XI when Rotherham host Birmingham.

Midfielder Crooks was handed a starting spot at Swansea last time out after coming off the bench to score against Stoke a week earlier, and he repaid Warne’s faith in him with another goal in Wales.

The Millers lost Friday’s game 4-3 and, with other results going against them at the foot of the Championship table, they find themselves three points adrift of 21st-placed Millwall – who have a game in hand.

Zak Vyner is likely to keep his place despite taking a whack in the second half against Swansea.

Garry Monk will run the rule over his Birmingham squad ahead of their second game in four days.

Monk reported “a few bumps and bruises” following the 2-2 draw against play-off chasers Derby but he is expected to name a similar side in South Yorkshire.

Blues forward Lukas Jutkiewicz was taken off in the 79th minute on Friday due to cramp but is likely to keep his place in the starting line-up.

Isaac Vassell is an option for Monk should he choose to mix things up.