Ipswich Town boss Mick McCarthy has heaped praise on Rotherham ahead of his side’s game at the New York Stadium tomorrow.

The fourth-place Blues head into the game looking to get their Championship promotion push back on track following a dry January consisting of just one win in six matches.

Rotherham are 20th and just three points above the drop zone, Steve Evans’ side fighting to stay in the second tier following back-to-back promotions.

The Millers have used 37 different players in the league so far this season, several loan players coming and going, and now seem to be hitting their best form following a 4-2 home win over Bolton and 1-1 draw at Charlton.

Asked if he thought the south Yorkshire side, who have former Town loanees Frazer Richardson, Paul Green and Conor Sammon among their ranks, would provide as tough a test as recent lowly opponents Brighton (lost 3-2 away) and Wigan (drew 0-0 at home), McCarthy said: “Absolutely; 100 per cent.

“I’ve got no doubt, at all, in my mind that they will not be in danger. In fact, I think they will be mid-table or towards the top end.

“I watched them recently and they absolutely bashed Bolton. They should have won at Charlton last Saturday too.

“They’ve got Frazer Richardson, Greeny, Conor Sammon – all players that have been with me and know what we’re about. They’re 4-4-2, work extremely hard, have got good players and are a handy outfit, I have to be honest.

“They are very competitive, combative and they play their football when they can. They did well here. We had a great start and got 2-0 up, but they played well in that game.

“The stadium’s brilliant too. I went there for the first time on Tuesday night and was stunned by it when you consider their old ground, Millmoor.”

Rotherham boss Evans, whose side have games against high-flying Blackburn, Derby, Wolves and Watford coming up this month, said: “We’ve embraced the Championship now. We’re starting to play with belief.”