ROTHERHAM United were among the pre-season Sky Bet League One promotion candidates and they have made a steady start to the campaign under boss Paul Warne.

With a record signing in attack and a tough defence, Oxford United will need to be on their game to avoid leaving the New York Stadium empty-handed.

FREDDIE LADAPO

The striker joined from Plymouth Argyle in the summer for an undisclosed club-record fee after scoring 18 goals last season.

He has struggled to hit the ground running but remains a threat, as his two goals in last month’s 6-1 mauling of Bolton Wanderers shows.

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MATT CROOKS

He is only 25 but Crooks is already an experienced head at this level, with his former clubs including Accrington Stanley, Northampton Town and Scunthorpe United.

He boasts an impressive goal return for the Millers and struck twice during their 4-0 win over Coventry City earlier this month.

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MICHAEL IHIEKWE

The centre back has been a regular fixture in one of the meanest defences in the third tier.

After a slow start to his career, Ihiekwe has accelerated to almost 200 senior appearances.