Chiedozie Ogbene suffers injury blow as Rotherham stay up

Republic of Ireland striker Chiedozie Ogbene suffered an injury blow as Rotherham United ensured they will be playing Championship football again next season with a battling 1-0 win over ten-man Middlesbrough.

The Cork native sustained the injury to his hamstring in the 19th minute at New York Stadium as he bore the brunt of a tackle from Hayden Hackney which yielded a yellow card for the Boro midfielder.

Ogbene was unable to continue and was taken off after a lengthy stoppage.

With his contract expiring this summer and having long been linked with a move away, it appears to be his final match for the Millers after almost four years with the club for whom he scored eight goals in 39 league games this season.

The extent of the injury will be a worry for Ireland as Stephen Kenny’s side prepare for their next Euro 2024 qualifier assignments against Greece away (16 June) and Gibraltar (19 June) at the Aviva Stadium.

Ogbene has been a key part of Kenny’s squad, impressing in the 1-0 defeat to France in March’s opening qualifier when he won his 15th senior cap.

Five days earlier he had scored the winning goal in the 3-2 friendly win against Latvia, his fourth for his country.

While Ogbene’s afternoon was curtailed on Monday, he was able to celebrate with his Rotherham team-mates on the pitch at full-time as their stay in the English second tier was confirmed.

Hakeem Odoffin’s powerful second-half strike meant they secured survival ahead of what would have been a nervy final-day trip to bottom side Wigan.

Previously, the Millers had been relegated in each of their previous three campaigns at that level.

Victory guaranteed that they cannot be caught by Reading who, following their six-point deduction, occupy the third and final relegation spot. The Royals can now only catch Huddersfield, who are three points above them, have a game in hand and a slightly better goal difference.

Middlesbrough, who have already secured a play-off berth but could have replaced Luton in third, lost defender Anfernee Dijksteel to a straight red card just before half-time and could find no way back once Odoffin struck three minutes into the second half.

Former Bohemians striker Georgie Kelly also made a substitute appearance for Rotherham with the Donegal native entering the fray on 71 minutes, while Ireland international defender Darragh Lenihan started for Middlesbrough.

Additional reporting: PA