"It would eclipse anything" ... Rotherham United boss Paul Warne wants automatic promotion for his players before a possible squad break-up

The 48-year-old won two promotions as a player and has twice led the Millers out of League One as boss, once via the play-offs and once when the season was curtailed by the Covid pandemic and final positions were decided nine games early.

A last-day win at Gillingham this weekend would guarantee his side a berth in the top two.

"If we could get automatic promotion it would be the biggest achievement I have ever had," he said. "It would eclipse anything I have done."

"As good as we have been in recent years as a football club, we haven't had an automatic promotion out of this league since Ronnie Moore had the dream team 20-odd years ago (2001).

"It would be amazing, even more so when you consider the quality in this league this year. Everyone can appreciate how tough this league is.

The second-placed Millers have several players coming to their end of the their contracts and Warne is desperate for them to savour success together before a potential parting of the ways.

"I am emotionally involved with all of my players and staff," he said. "We are a really close group. I want them to have that moment in time, that moment in history, that will keep them connected forever.

"I am not saying that I don't want it for myself and my own family - of course I do - but I want it more for the players.

"I have been on the record about this many times, this team will change in the summer. It will be a goodbye for a few. I feel like automatic promotion would be a fitting end to an enjoyable but tough season.

"It has been Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday for months now, If the lads could just enjoy that one last day, it would be literally priceless. It would be something they'd remember forever and I would love to feel like I have been a part of that for them."

Rotherham, who have returned to form after a March and early-April wobble, will be cheered on by around 2,000 of their fans at Priestfield Stadium.

"That's a great following," Warne said. "It's a fricking long way to go, especially after the Easter holidays when everyone enjoys spending their money.

"Ever since I've been at this club our away following has been 'ledg'. I can remember as a player going to places like Halifax Town and the away following would be unbelievable. They were magical days for me.

"Our away following is really loud. They sang brilliantly at the Stadium of Light (1-1 draw at Sunderland last Tuesday.

"Two-thousand fans is really impressive and hopefully we can put on a performance they can all enjoy."

The Millers, who could take the title if they take three points and leaders Wigan Athletic slip up at Shrewsbury Town, have no new injury concerns and are likely to leave wantaway striker Freddie Ladapo out of their squad again.

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WARNE'S MESSAGE TO FANS

"I would just like to say thanks for all the support this year.

"I think the true fans are the ones who support the team not just when they're winning, the ones who stay and clap the team off when they've lost or drawn. I remember Portsmouth away - when we got absolutely smoked - and the amount of fans who still stayed to clap the players off the pitch.

"I feel like there's a really good relationship between our players and our supporters. 

"To be a fan of anything isn't about 100 per cent adoration all the time; I understand that. I think our fans have a real understanding of where we are and where we're trying to be, and they appreciate our efforts."