Millers eye foreign imports

The scores of names put to the club include several from Western and Eastern Europe. Some are already on trial or about to be offered a stint with the club.

Belgian defender Guillaume Francois is just one on the radar, attracted by the lure of the Championship, and chairman Tony Stewart said that more than ever the club was prepared to spread their search for talent overseas.

“We have about five foreign players who are coming to trial with us from Spain, Germany and Eastern Europe. That's happening now and it's happening next week,” he told the Advertiser.

“We have spread the net further into Europe and we've been quite surprised by the number of calls from European agents. I'm talking Spain, Germany, Belgium and France, it's been amazing. They all seem to want to get a foot on the ladder on the way to the Premier League. It's been quite flattering, some of the names that have come through.

"Some of these players have been playing with good clubs in Europe and it's adding to the appetite for the new season."