Hakeeb Adelakun signs for Rotherham United on loan

Manager Paul Warne landed his man at the third attempt and the 23-year-old will go straight into the squad for this weekend's League One clash at Oxford United after arriving from Championship side Bristol City.

The winger who can operate on both flanks and also as a 'number 10', first came to Rotherham's attention when he was playing against them for Scunthorpe United in the third tier in 2017/18.

"I tried to sign him when he left Scunthorpe and went to Bristol City," said Warne who lost loan striker Carlton Morris to MK Dons on Wednesday. "You won't be surprised to know I was blown out of the water.

"Then I tried to sign him last January but we couldn't get the decimal points to meet. I looked at it again in the summer but teams like to keep their squad together in the summer and see how they get on.

"This January, I wasn't overly-confident it was going to happen. But I have a pretty good relationship with Bristol's manager, Johnno (Lee Johnson) and I spoke to him and we've actually managed to make it happen.

"I'm really pleased. Hakeeb can play on the right, on the left or in the middle. He gives us something a little bit different."

Adelakun, fast, direct and one of League One's most dangerous forwards when he was with the Iron, suffered an ankle injury early in his career at Ashton Gate and has struggled for game-time.

He made five Championship appearances last term and has yet to feature this time around even though he is fully fit.

"He is athletic and I think he suits our dressing room," Warne said. "I feel we have been lacking a little bit of creativity possibly

"I do like signing players who can play more than one position. We have a really small squad so loads of lads flip around the pitch.

"If he comes here and does really well for the next four months then he can put his career on the right track. For us to convince him to come here is really good. It shouldn't take too long for him to settle in."

Rotherham, still in the market during the month-long transfer window for a striker and a defender, have yet to decide whether to recall centre-forward Jerry Yates who has hit 12 goals in 27 games in his loan spell at League Two Swindon Town.

"We are trying to get in a different type of striker to Jerry but if that striker isn't better than him then we would be stupid not to being Jerry back," Warne said.

The boss has yet to speak to Yates, aged 23, who is believed to favour remaining at the County Ground.

"The conversation hasn't taken place," Warne said. "I am like a dark crow on  his shoulder. I get his situation completely but if it is for the benefit of the club to bring him back then I will.

"I am well aware that he is fully enjoying his football, scoring and having a great time. Unfortunately for him, we pay him and we can bring him back."

The Millers are without injured defenders Billy Jones and Clark Robertson for the U's encounter while full-backs Adam Thompson and Joe Mattock are suspended.

Mattock completes his ban on Saturday while Thompson begins a three-match suspension.

Midfielder Shaun MacDonald is due to return to full training next week after recovering from a calf problem.