Tubbs deal off...for now

The hit man was due to sign yesterday after his parent club Bournemouth agreed last week to let him come north, but the Cherries' record £800,000 signing popped up with a goal last Saturday and another one in his first start of the season for them on Tuesday and is staying put for now.

That is frustrating for Evans, who had a significant six-figure bid turned down earlier in the summer. He knows Tubbs from his free-scoring days at Crawley and wants him to pep up the Millers' attack, even if it means having to bide time for him.

He told the Advertiser: "We came to an agreement last Friday but then he scores twice and the situation changes and if it happens now then I will fall off a tree.

"It might be something we have a look at again (when the transfer window reopens) in January if the boy falls out of favour down there but we've put a lot of effort into it and we have to move on.

"It goes without saying he'd be a big asset for us because he's a player with a regular habit of sticking the ball in the net.

"I know what he can do because I signed him from lowly Salisbury for £50,000 and sold him for £800,000. He's a great striker at our level but it is not to be at the moment."

Rotherham go to League Two's bottom side, Barnet, tomorrow.

Key utility man Kari Arnason is said to be "touch and go" having sat out the last two games with a twisted ankle.

Midfielder David Noble will travel after clearing up a dispute with the manager.