Scott Wootton is feeling the benefits of a successful loan spell at Rotherham United after returning to Elland Road to start in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Birmingham City.

The 23-year-old impressed during his seven appearances for the Millers after completing an emergency loan switch at the end of November.

“It was massive,” said Scott. “It put a lot of confidence and belief back in me.

“I played regular football so that only helps, I loved it.”

Wootton went straight into Neil Redfearn’s team to face Birmingham and completed the full 90 minutes at right back, putting in a solid display and coming close to scoring with a first-half header.

Asked when he knew he would be starting, the defender replied: “On Thursday. We did a bit of back-four work and I was right back.

“The team wasn’t named then but I thought I might have had a chance.

“Then again, on Friday, we did a bit of shape and preparation for the game. I was at right back again so I gathered at that point I would be playing.

“It was a mad week. I came back on Monday and didn’t know if I’d be going back if the loan was being extended.

“I didn’t really know what was going to happen but I was just happy to play on Saturday.

“You’ve always got to be prepared for anything in football. I always kept myself right and focused and I was happy to play.”

United had trailed to an early Paul Caddis penalty and looked set to be in for a frustrating afternoon after a number of missed chances, but Luke Murphy struck with four minutes remaining on the clock to rescue a point.

Wootton said: "Personally I was quite pleased with how I did. I thought, as a team, we set up with a clear gameplan.

"We tracked back, we had a bit of the ball, but they just hit us on the counter attack. They looked quite dangerous in the first half.

"But I thought most of the game was played in their half in the second half. I can’t remember  being back near our box.

"I thought we deserved to get three points. We created a lot of chances, we put a lot of balls in the box.

"We had a gameplan from the manager to get the ball forward and play off Steve Morison, which I thought he did really well."