Millers close in on strikers

ROTHERHAM United expect to bring in two strikers next week as they close in on finalising a squad well in time for the new season.

With the continued backing of chairman Tony Stewart, manager Steve Evans has been pursuing two targets this week, one with a view to a permanent move and the other, a hot young prospect, on a long-term loan.

Rotherham had six-figure bids rejected for Wimbledon's Jack Midson and Bournemouth's Matt Tubbs earlier in the summer and Evans has already said he is prepared to smash the club's transfer record to get the right man.

With money in from the sale of top scorer Lewis Grabban and the backing of chairman Tony Stewart, that remains a possibility as the Millers chief goes about adding a goal scorer or two to the nine players he has already brought in.

Assistant boss Paul Raynor said: "The wheels are turning and next week we hope to have one striker through the door and agreement with another to join us on loan.

"The loan player we think extremely highly of. We tried to buy him but the fact that his parent club wouldn't do business shows how much they think of him. There won't be movement on that until the middle of July but we hope we can get him in for six months or for a full season.

"The other player would command a fee. He's a proven striker and a proven goal scorer and we are in dialogue with his club."

Raynor denied any interest in Sheffield Wednesday striker and former Miller Chris O'Grady, one of several names linked with the club.