Rotherham United boss Matt Taylor responds to reports Derby County want centre-forward Conor Washington

ROTHERHAM United have yet to receive an approach for striker Conor Washington who is understood to be attracting interest from League One Derby County.

The Rams are managed by Paul Warne, the man who brought the 31-year-old to AESSEAL New York Stadium last summer when he was in charge of the Millers.

Washington scored six times in 39 matches last season in the Championship and has a year left on his contract.

"We're aware of the rumours," Rotherham boss Matt Taylor said. "Rumours will always happen because of the Derby connection. That's something we can't hide away from. We've not had any contact from anyone."

The player is closing in on fitness following a knee operation and was seeing a specialist on Wednesday. He and winger Shane Ferguson, who has undergone hernia surgery, have trained away from the main group following Monday's pre-season return.

"Shane will get signed off by the medical team in the next week or so," Taylor said. "That was a relatively straightforward op. Conor's time frame is a little bit longer. They're both out running."