Cole Stockton and the striker hunt, an arrival imminent, Rotherham United and Dominic Thompson, what's happening with trialist Nigel Lonwijk and Rob Scott on the loan strategy ... stories from the Advertiser

Warne, who is chasing other attacking targets, said several weeks ago that he’d had no contact with the 28-year-old, and that remains the case.

“I haven’t spoken to the player,” he confirmed this week.

An experienced defender from a second-tier side is due to join on a season-long contract.

The Millers believed a second loan capture was also in the bag but have been hit by last-minute disappointment.

“I thought I had a midfielder — that has been going on for about four weeks — then another Championship club have come and nicked him,” Warne said.

The boss distanced himself from speculation that he is interested in Brentford defender Dominic Thompson.

“That’s not true,” he said. “It’s not a name that’s been put to me. I haven’t watched the lad.

The recruitment team might have him on a list as an option they’re going to put in front of me but as of yet he hasn’t been mentioned to me.”

Warne wants to make at least five more signings but accepts that they won’t all be in place by the time the opening-day home clash with Swansea City a week on Saturday comes around.

“We’re still a few players short,” he said. “I’ll be amazed if we can get five in before the start of the season. We might get two or three in before then. The transfer window doesn’t shut until September.”

Rotherham wrap up their pre-season schedule with a trip to Crewe Alexandra on Saturday.

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TRIALIST Nigel Lonwijk will learn at the end of this week whether he will be spending the new season on loan with Rotherham United.

The young Wolves centre-half has appeared in two summer friendlies for the Millers and is training with Paul Warne’s squad until tomorrow.

He sat out last Saturday’s trip to Mansfield Town and Tuesday’s fixture at Doncaster Rovers because EFL regulations allow players on trial to feature in two games only.

“I was disappointed he couldn’t play at the weekend because I still haven’t had everything answering in my head that I want,” manager Warne said.

“I’ve got a good relationship with Wolves. I told them the situation and said I’d like to keep him for another week to see if my questions get answered.

“A loan is something we could potentially do or not do. I honestly don’t know yet. We’ll have him for the whole week and then make a decision.”

The Dutch 19-year-old has yet to make his senior debut for Premier League Wolves and was loaned out to Eredivisie side Fortuna Sittard last season.

He spent Tuesday training at Roundwood with Shane Ferguson and Jamie McCart who have recovered from injuries but weren’t risked against Rovers.

Another injury absentee, Tolaji Bola, is pencilled in to rejoin the main group today (Thursday).

“I don’t think Tolaji will be able to play this weekend (at Crewe Alexandra) but we’ve got a game behind closed doors next week and he’ll probably take part in that,” Warne said.

Wes Harding has shaken off a minor ailment and took part in the Rovers clash.

Rotherham begin their Championship campaign a week on Saturday at home to Swansea City.

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ROTHERHAM United are targeting experience as they prepare to enter the loan market to bolster their Championship squad.

The promoted Millers have already made a number of permanent signings in readiness for their assault on the second tier and know they can add extra talent by bringing in players from bigger clubs on season-long deals.

“I want loanees who have had a Championship loan before or at least a very good League One loan,” said head of recruitment Rob Scott.

The Millers have had loan success in the recent past with the likes of wing-backs Ryan Giles and Jordi Osei-Tutu, midfielder Lewis Wing and striker Will Grigg.

Youngsters Giles and Osei-Tutu, from Premier League Wolves and Arsenal respectively, had proved their worth in temporary spells elsewhere before coming to AESSEAL New York Stadium. 

Older duo Wing and Grigg had long track records in the EFL up to second-tier level.

A loan that didn’t work out was that of untested centre-forward George Hirst who came from top-flight Leicester City’s youth set-up two years ago and failed to score in 30-plus second-tier appearances.

“Under-23s football is great but it’s a huge step up to the Championship,” Scott said. “We’ve seen that in the past. Lessons have been learned that we can’t take a punt so much. We’ve got to look at a bit more of an assured thing.

“I’m talking to a lot of Premier League clubs about what players they have available for loan. I’m not saying I’d never do an under-23s loan for someone with very little taste of senior football but our starting point is players who have played in the Championship or done well in the division below.”

There is still well over a month of the window left and temporary business will hot up as the September 1 deadline approaches and clubs have had time to assess their playing pools during pre-season and in the early weeks of the real action.

Scott said: “We get some knock-backs straight off the bat, which makes my job easier because I don’t have to sit there thinking: ‘This might happen.’

“We also get agents saying: ‘We don’t want to move just yet, we’re seeing what’s out there, but you are of interest.’”