'I brought him back with a heavy heart' ... but Rotherham United boss Paul Warne felt he had to recall loan striker Jerry Yates

The Millers manager knew the forward was happy at League Two Swindon Town where he was playing regularly, scoring and scoring 13 times in 29 appearances.

But injury concerns in the Rotherham camp in the build-up to tomorrow's League One contest at Peterborough United forced the boss's hand.

"I brought him back with a bit of a heavy heart, I won't lie," Warne said. "I said that to Jerry when I phoned him up and told him. I said: 'I have to do what's best for Rotherham United not what's best for Jerry Yates, unfortunately.'

"He's in the building and we'll watch him in training for a couple days and maybe he'll play a part on Saturday. We've got quite a few players out at the moment."

Yates, aged 23, may go out on loan again - possibly back to the Robins - before the transfer window closes at the end of January rather than warm the bench as the table-topping Millers push for promotion.

If he appears for Rotherham against Posh his only option would be a return to the County Ground as league rules state that a player can turn out for only two sides in a single season.

"I don't want to kill the kid. I always try to have the player's wishes in my thoughts," Warne said.

"First and foremost, I want to have a look at him. He's had a good season at Swindon. We've lost Carlton (loan forward Morris who moved to MK Dons) and if we're going to get in another striker the new man has to be better than Jerry. If they're not better, then Jerry is our next point of call.

"He is our player. We're not running a charity here. I'm aware he's had a great season at Swindon and they've developed him. Playing every week has definitely helped his confidence. 

"Over the next few days we will have many conversations about him and with him. We'll see what best suits everyone."

Yates is out of contract at AESSEAL New York Stadium in the summer but Rotherham have an option to extend his deal for another year.