Charlton Athletic blow as Rotherham United hope to have 'top class' duo fit for trip to The Valley

Rotherham United are hoping to be able to deploy summer signings Sean Raggett and Joe Rafferty against Charlton Athletic this weekend in what would be a huge boost to the visitors at The Valley.

The Addicks have scored in three of their four league fixtures this season with the Millers only managing one League One clean sheet so far. Nathan Jones will be hoping to bounce back from defeat against Reading last time out but that will be a trickier task should Rotherham United have Raggett and Rafferty fit.

The duo, both signed from Portsmouth as free agents this summer, helped Pompey to the division title last season and were snapped up by Rotherham having been relegated from the Championship. Both started in the side's first match of the season, a 1-0 defeat to Exeter City, but have been absent from league action with injury since - Raggett with a knee injury and Rafferty with a groin issue.

Rotherham United boss Steve Evans is desperate to have the players available but won't risk further injury against the Addicks on Saturday. Both players will, however, be in the squad for the trip.

Evans said, via the Yorkshire Post: “Both have been in training this week. They're top-class players and we've missed them. We're looking forward to having them back.

“It's about the reactions overnight. We had a good training session today [Thursday] with plenty of movement. We'll head south tomorrow and train again at real intensity in preparation for Saturday. Then we'll know whether two of the back four of last season's champions are ready to play.

“What we can’t do is play them if they're not ready. They're two of the champions from last season for a reason, they're top-class defenders, and we want them available, but only at 100 per cent. The days of playing 60 and 70 per cent and trying to get through are surely gone."