Are Rotherham United keen on keeping any of their loan players at the end of the season?

Tariqe FosuTariqe Fosu
Tariqe Fosu
Millers manager Matt Taylor answered the question in this week's Advertiser.
 

ROTHERHAM United are poised to make a move to bring some of their loan stars back to AESSEAL New York Stadium next season if they hold on to their Championship status.

Players like Tariqe Fosu, Leo Hjelde, Conor Coventry and Grant Hall have all made contributions this term as the Millers have put themselves in the driving seat for second-tier survival.

Manager Matt Taylor has already spoken of his desire to work with Hall again and is also open to extending his relationship with the others.

“We like what they have done so far for us,” Taylor said. “We’ve still got nine games to assess the situation.

“Whenever you get a loan player and you like them and they’re playing well, you want to keep them. What capacity that means for next season ... it could be another loan or it could be a permanent deal.”

Hall’s contract at parent club Middlesbrough is due to expire in the summer, Fosu is in the same situation with Brentford, Coventry has another year at West Ham United and Hjelde is tied to Leeds United until 2025.

Two other loanees who haven’t featured as much, Bailey Wright and Domingo Quina, have deals with Sunderland and Watford respectively that run until 2024.

Rotherham will be a much more attractive proposition to any of the six if they establish a foothold in the Championship rather than slip back to League One again.

The fact that the players have already had a taste of life in South Yorkshire could strengthen the club’s hand in any negotiations, believes Taylor.

All of them have talked about how much at home they feel with the Millers.

“Them having spent time in our ranks and understanding the environment here hopefully means we’re in a better position than we were when they weren’t here,” the boss said.

“We’re making sure they enjoy it here, making sure they get their opportunity to play their best football.

“We also make sure their life away from the training ground is relatively smooth.

“When you’re away from your parent club and your family and support network it can sometimes be difficult. We have to look after them.

“We want to attract good players and some of those we have on loan are certainly good players who we want to keep on working with in the future.”

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THE New York Stadium loan contingent share a common characteristic.

“They’re all hungry,” said manager Matt Taylor. “One thing I’ve measured my signings by a lot throughout my managerial career is how hungry they are.

“As a club, we’re looking for sustainability at Championship level and every player we’ve signed has shown a real desire to be successful.”