Championship clubs still hunting Ward's signature

STRIKER Danny Ward's future at Rotherham United is inching closer to being resolved, with serious money being discussed for the club's leading scorer.
Danny Ward celebrates scoring against Birmingham CityDanny Ward celebrates scoring against Birmingham City
Danny Ward celebrates scoring against Birmingham City

Assistant manager Richie Barker says conversations are continuing with Championship clubs chasing his signature and that if common sense prevails, the marksman will be moving on.

He told the Advertiser: "We are not 100 per cent resigned to Danny leaving and the chairman has said that if it doesn't go through then we have one of the best strikers in the division.

"But if common sense prevails — and Danny wants to play in the Championship and financially it is a good deal for the club — he will end up moving on.

"Not a lot has changed really, which is not ideal for us or Danny. We pretty much know where we are with it but there are more conversations going on and Danny won't want it dragging on any longer.

"He has a couple of options and it is a matter of the club and him agreeing on what the best is.

"The offers are fairly substantial, quite a way down the road, and warrant serious consideration. If it does happen it will help us strengthen the squad."

Barker, meanwhile, says that new arrival Michael Ihiekwe has all the qualities he and manager Paul Warne are looking for in their new recruits.

The 24-year-old centre-half became the club's first summer arrival when he signed him from Tranmere Rovers yesterday on a two-year deal.

Millers new man Michael Ihiekwe

Barker said: "Michael is someone who ticks the boxes in that he is coming to the club for the right reasons, he wants to improve to improve and will have an opportunity to play at the next level. He is not coming to rest on his laurels.”

Ihiekwe will up the competition for the places in central defence and, says Barker, another centre-half could also be coming in.

"We are trying to create competition for places and that is one of the areas we think we can."