failed to earn Shawn Goater a recall to the first team, as he has spent the last two matches sitting on the subs' bench.

Goater came on in the last 20 minutes of the scoreless draw with York on Saturday and also appeared in the final minute of a midweek 3-2 win over Burnley, Rotherham's first of the season.

"The first team has done well and the goals have been going in,'' said Goater last night after returning from watching the 3-3 draw in nearby Sheffield between Sheffield Wednesday and Norwich.

"Wednesday were up 3-0 and had loads of chances and dominated the whole game.

This fella Ekoku came on for Mark Robbins and the game changed. He had a good game and scored one of the goals.'' Goater travels to Sheffield, which is five miles away, to watch matches whenever he has free time. "I went to watch the strikers,'' he said of last night's match, which was played before a crowd of 25,175.

"Ekoku was playing in our division for Bournemouth last season. I remember him playing at our place. He didn't look out of place when he came on the pitch (last night).'' Goater was also impressed with Sheffield Wednesday forward Chris Bart-Williams. "They (he and Ekoku) are two different types of players but I learned something from both.'' Meanwhile, Bermuda's other striker in England, Kyle Lightbourne, is still awaiting renewal of his work permit, which would enable him to sign for Third Division club Walsall.

"I had talks with the assistant manager and he said it's in the PFA's hands and he was just waiting to hear back from them,'' said Lightbourne last night.

"Mark Trott called and told me everything was okay from the Bermuda side.

With the team not having a good start to the season, Lightbourne is anxious to get his work permit renewed so that he can begin playing for his new club.

"They are pleased with the way things are going with me and all of the players are anxious for me as well,'' said Lightbourne.

"I don't know what's going to happen. It's a waiting game.''