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If ever you needed a big commanding experienced centre back, it's when you are deep in a promotion battle with the season coming to an end. Town in Martin McIntosh have the best candidate of all but Peter Jackson will have to do without his commanding centre back for up to a month.

McIntosh was injured during the 1-1 draw at Port Vale with hamstring problem. It is a blow to the big Scotland born defender whose performances in recent weeks have caught the eye.

Tosh whose manager is very disappointed with the news was out for three month's earlier this season with knee problems and Jackson confirmed that the injury looks likely to run for the full 4 weeks prognosis and called it "a real blow"

The living legend is now on 123 Town goals just 3 behind another legend Billy Smith and just 20 goals away from becoming the club's greatest ever goalscorer.

With that type of record, Boothy is certainly a major candidate for many of the end of season awards

Town are currently six points from the top and on level terms with Brentford who sit in second place, however Town have played 2 games more than the Londoners and need a favour from former Town striker Ronnie Jepson when the Bees visit his Gillingham side in midweek.

Jackson has stated "We (Town) are aiming for the automatics and not settling for the play-off's".

Town came from a goal down to defeat plucky Rotherham who was backed by over 1,700 with a stunning Andy Booth hat-trick which sunk the South Yorkshire side. Forte gave United the lead on 13 minutes but two goals from Booth on 32 and 39 put Town in command.

A powerful Booth header put Town further in command on 82 minutes with his hat-trick goal and substitute Gary Taylor-Fletcher 2 minutes later

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Rotherham United's visit to the Galpharm Stadium earned the cash strapped club a big pay day as a successful walk by Millers supporters to the Town ground and a bucket collection earned the Millers £40,000. Rotherham who need to raise £1 million before the end of the month have thanked Town supporters for their generosity

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Left back Dan Smith returned to Sunderland earlier this week and earned his first Premiership start. Smith played in Sunderland's 2-0 defeat at Bolton on Saturday after Sunderland used the option to recall the defender.

Smith who made seven consecutive starts for Town originally joined Huddersfield Town on loan for a month in January. Peter Jackson obtained permission for then Sunderland manager Mick McCarthy to keep Smith on loan until the end of the current season.

Current caretaker coach at the Stadium of Light Kevin Ball used the recall option so that the talented youngster could feature in Sunderland's attempt to say in the top flight.

Smith said on leaving the Galpharm Stadium that there is the quality within the club to gain promotion and that he will be staying in touch with the Town players. He called his time at Huddersfield "brilliant" and "hopes the club goes up". Smith added "The fans are superb ... I hope they go up, they deserve to be in the Championship".

Irony as it is, Smith could be facing the Terriers next season if Town gain promotion and Sunderland fail in their attempts to stay in the Premiership.

Smith started at Bolton on Saturday and played 57 minutes of the top flight clash before being substituted

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Danny Schofield is set to sign his new contract keeping him at the Galpharm Stadium for an additional 2 years

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March 28th will see England Under 17s play Italy Under 17s at the Galpharm in the European Under 17s Championship qualifiers

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Town captain Jon Worthington has won the Leaguer One player of the division award for February

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Nathan Clarke is once again on the top-50 list of players outside the Premiership. Clarke who was also named in last week's divisional team was 43rd in the list collated by football magazine Four-Four-Two

Peter Jackson is still disappointed with the decision made by the match referee which could have seen Town snatch all three points at home against Doncaster Rovers.

With he match heading towards a 2-2 draw, but Andy Booth rose well to head home what Jackson felt was a justifiable winner

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Jackson has been told that there will be a transfer budget next season for him to spend after Terriers Chairman Ken Davy is delighted with the way things are progressing. Depending on the division Town will play in next season will dictate the size of the transfer pot. Jackson believes his side is still "bang on course" for promotion this season

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