Rovers travel to take on South Yorkshire rivals Rotherham United in their second group stage game in the Leasing.com Trophy.
Darren Moore’s side got off to a winning start to the competition as goals from Cameron John, Kazaiah Sterling and Alfie May sealed a 3-1 victory over Lincoln City at the Keepmoat Stadium.
The Millers are still looking for their first win in the competition after being beaten by Manchester United U21s in their opening group game in August.
Brief history of Rotherham United
Rotherham play at the 12,021-capacity AESSEAL New York Stadium, which has been their home since the start of the 2012/13 campaign.
Since moving to their new ground, the Millers have had regular success including back-to-back promotions from Sky Bet League Two to the Championship under former manager Steve Evans.
They held their own for consecutive seasons in the second tier, before relegation at the end of the 2016/17 season. They bounced back immediately though and a 14-match unbeaten run from December to February of the following season eventually saw them beat Shrewsbury Town 2-1 in the play-off final at Wembley.
A team who have been successful at Sky Bet League One level in the past, Rotherham will be looking for another successful season this time around.
Who’s the gaffer?
Former Rotherham player and fan-favourite Paul Warne took over as manager initially as caretaker in November 2016, before being appointed on a permanent basis in April 2017. Warne created a real togetherness at the Millers and created a never say die attitude which saw them score plenty of late goals as they secured a play-off place. A win at Wembley saw Warne seal promotion in his first season in charge, but despite his best efforts couldn’t prevent them from being relegated in their first season back in the second-tier.
Ones to watch
Dan Barlaser
The 22-year-old joined the Millers in the summer on loan from Premier League side Newcastle United. After a brief loan spell with Crewe Alexandra towards the end of the 2017/18 campaign, it was with Accrington Stanley last season where Barlaser firmly established himself in the EFL.
The central midfielder made 45 appearances for John Coleman’s side in their first season in Sky Bet League One, scoring six goals in the process.
Ben Wiles
Wiles is a product of the Rotherham youth system and made his senior debut in the Checkatrade Trophy against Chesterfield in the 2017/18 campaign, and would go on to play against Bradford in the same competition. The 20-year-old’s development continued last season, as he impressed making 23 appearances in the Sky Bet Championship, one of the positives in a season which ultimately ended in relegation from the second tier.
Carlton Morris
The 24-year-old striker returned for a second spell with the Millers in the summer after signing on a season-long loan from Premier League newcomers Norwich City. Morris initially arrived at the New York Stadium in 2017, as the club looked to preserve its Championship status. He reached the Sky Bet League One play-off final with Shrewsbury Town a year later, before a serious knee injury put pay to his 2018/19 campaign. Morris’ second loan with Rotherham was announced at the same time as he signed a new contract at Carrow Road.
Who's the ref?
Marc Edwards will be the man in charge of the South Yorkshire derby at the AESSEAL New York Stadium, and you can find out more about him here.
Last time out
Ben Whiteman’s late penalty gave Rovers all three points the last time the two sides met in Sky Bet League One in September. Jake Hastie gave Paul Warne’s side a half-time lead, before James Coppinger levelled the scores midway through the second-half. The game looked to be heading for a draw before Niall Ennis was fouled in the box with a minute of normal time remaining, and Whiteman stepped up to convert and seal the win.