Shane Ferguson and Charlton Athletic, Brooke Norton-Cuffy and Arsenal ... January updates on two Rotherham United players

ROTHERHAM United will take the wishes of Shane Ferguson into consideration if Charlton Athletic follow up their interest in the wing-back by making a firm bid.

The 31-year-old Northern Ireland international is in the final year of his contract with the Millers and the League One Addicks could make a move to try to lure him away from AESSEAL New York Stadium in this month’s transfer window.

Ferguson played a major part in Rotherham’s promotion from the third tier last season but has been restricted by injury to 16 appearances — eight as a substitute — this term and is behind Cohen Bramall in the pecking order.

“Charlton are a substantial club in the league below,” manager Matt Taylor said. “Everyone knows what a good and big club they are.

“A lot will depend on what Shane wants to do if there is an opportunity in relation to that.”

The Addicks are based in South East London and Ferguson has lived in that area before, having spent six seasons with Millwall before joining the Millers in the summer of 2021.

He has been based in Rotherham with his family during his time at New York.

Earlier this week, Taylor, who has six of his first-team squad on the treatment table, was uncertain of Charlton’s intentions.

“Players in the last part of their contracts are able to speak to clubs,” the boss said. “I think there’s going to be a lot of stories flying around — not just about our players, about all players.

“I’ll know if it’s true when the information comes to me through (head of recruitment) Rob Scott or via the club. I’ve not heard anything as yet.”

Taylor has a busy month in front of him as he looks to make signings in his first window as Rotherham manager and says no players will be allowed to leave until recruits are through the door.

“We have to bring in players first because we’ve barely got a squad at the moment,” he 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.”

The Millers hope to have their first arrivals in place by the time they play their next league game.

They 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.

Taylor isn’t anticipating new faces before this Saturday’s FA Cup trip to Ipswich Town but reckons there could be movement next week in the build-up to the home clash against Blackburn Rovers.

“We hope that’s the case,” he said. “The wheels are in motion. We’re working towards the targets.”

The manager, who would like to bring in proven performers rather than untested youngsters, added: “We’ve got to get sure things.”

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ROTHERHAM United have yet to hear whether they will lose the services of loan youngster Brooke Norton-Cuffy in the January transfer window.

The 18-year-old attacking wing-back was a regular starter under previous boss Paul Warne but has fallen out of favour since the appointment of Matt Taylor because of concerns over his defensive contribution.

Parent club Arsenal are considering recalling their England under-19 international but so far haven’t made their intentions known.

Taylor would be happy to keep the player who failed to make the squad for the home clash with Stoke City on Boxing Day and has appeared as a substitute in the last two matches, at Huddersfield Town and Millwall.

Fit-agan Peter Kioso was chosen ahead of him to start on the right flank against the Terriers and Lions.

“Brooke’s still an asset for us when we’re an attacking team,” Taylor said. “We’ve found in games gone by that it has to be the right type of game to get him on the pitch.

“He’s obviously behind ‘PK’ at the moment, and I’ve played Wes (Harding) in front of him before as well.”

The recall clause in the loan contract means it will be the Premier League Gunners who decide what happens next.

“There are no developments as it stands,” Taylor said. “We are comfortable with where Brooke is but it will be down to him and Arsenal whether he stays.”