Boss Matt Taylor reveals when Rotherham United's recruitment is likely to begin and addresses potential interest from elsewhere in Tom Eaves

The Millers are in need of reinforcements as they battle to stay out of the drop zone following a run of one win in 12 matches and are keen to do business as soon as possible.

Manager Matt Taylor isn't anticipating new faces coming through the door before this Saturday's FA Cup trip to Ipswich Town but says signings could be made the week afterwards in the build-up to the home league clash against Blackburn Rovers.

"We hope that's the case," he said after yesterday's loss at Millwall left his side in 21st place, a point above the bottom three. "The wheels are in motion. We're working towards the targets."

Among the priorities for Rotherham, who have six first-teamers on the treatment table, are wide men and midfielders.

Taylor, three months into his job at AESSEAL New York Stadium, expects to be focusing on loan deals and free-agent recruitment and would like to bring in proven performers rather than untested youngsters.

"We've got to get sure things," he said.

Departures from New York are also likely this month, although not until the Millers have boosted their numbers.

"We have to bring in players first because we've barely got a squad at the moment," Taylor said.

"Towards the end of the window there might be more of a priority to see who will be ... not put to the sidelines but who won't get the opportunities here that they had previously."

Tom Eaves is one of the players out of action yet the striker's absence of between three and six weeks hasn't stopped reports surfacing that one of his former teams, Bolton Wanderers, would like to take him back to the UniBol Stadium.

"It's news to me," Taylor said. "Tom tore his hamstring the other day. 

"It's not a massive tear but it's not a small tear either. It's one of those mid-range ones."