Why ex-Preston North End duo won't face their former club on Friday - key man also out

Relegation-doomed Rotherham United will be without two ex-Preston North End players for Friday's trip to Deepdale.

The Lilywhites return to action after the international break, for a home clash against the 24th placed Millers. Former PNE striker Jordan Hugill has been ruled out of the game by head coach Leam Richardson, while ex-North End loan man, Andre Green, is a long-term absentee.

Hugill is set to miss the Easter fixtures, having gone to see an expert about a knee issue. On the striker, Richardson said: "He's been to see specialists to see what the best form of recuperation is. It's something we're managing on a daily basis."

As for Green - who signed for Rotherham in the summer upon the expiry of his contract at Slovan Bratislava - his season was ended back in October. The former Aston Villa man ruptured his Achilles tendon in training. Green was ruled out for 12 months, at the time.

Green had played 10 games for Rotherham - nine in the Championship and one in the EFL Cup - without scoring. As for Hugill, he has netted three goals and assisted one in 36 outings. One of those strikes came against PNE, in September's 1-1 draw at the New York Stadium.

Elsewhere on the injury front, midfielder Christ Tiehi - who cost £500,000 in the summer, from Czech Republic side Slovan Liberec - has been dealt a blow. The midfielder took to social media, over the break, to share that he is out for the rest of the season. But, Richardson did not wish to confirm that, for certain, in his pre-match press conference.

He said: "That's still an ongoing issue. We've had a second opinion and it doesn't seem as definite as we first thought. We'll manage it day by day, week by week. I won't commit to him being out for the season. Two specialists have had differences of opinion. We'll continue to go down that road and get the best outcome."