Rotherham United and the striker hunt in the last days of the transfer window

Manager Paul Warne says he is “enthusiastic” about the prospect of adding another player to a squad who are bidding for a third League One promotion in five years.

The Millers have invested considerably in their recruitment this summer by making six signings and must be mindful of remaining within Financial Fair Play regulations as they seek the last piece of the jigsaw.

“I’m still enthusiastic about the fact that we might be able to get someone else up top,” said Warne, whose side are at home to derby rivals Doncaster Rovers on Saturday. “That could be a striker or ‘10’. There is a real dearth of good attacking options out there. I’m blessed that I’ve got three that I really like. I still believe we need another one.

“We’re playing with two up top so three is never going to get you through an entire season.”

Warne, who has several loan targets in mind, knows the unexpected can happen in the last few days of the window.

“We’re not a club that gets in a body for a body’s sake,” he said. “I don’t want anybody here who I don’t think is going to play a part. We’re doing everything we can.

“We’re in the hands of parent clubs because I honestly think it will be a loan, unless something suddenly comes up.

“That’s the funny thing about the last week of the window. I might get a call on Sunday night saying: ‘This lad you really liked, his club are now prepared to let him go for a minimal fee or on a free.’ Or a Premier League side might have a player they’re prepared to let leave just for a sell-on clause.

“You’re always hoping you’re getting to get that call. If we don’t get another attacker, we don’t get one.”

FFP rules allow clubs to spend only a certain percentage of their income on their playing budget.

Meanwhile, winger Chiedozie Ogbene’s hamstring pull will keep him out of the Rovers derby but the damage is not severe and his absence should be only a short-term one.

Centre-half Curtis Tilt this week stepped up his recovery from a more serious hamstring injury by playing 60 minutes of a training match on Tuesday but is unlikely to make the squad on Saturday.

“He’s getting through training well. But there’s a big different between doing an hour’s session and playing a full-out match,” Warne said. “He’s making the right steps.

“Once he is fit, he’s then got to get himself in the squad. Being fit isn’t enough. He’s got to be better than who’s in front of him and proving it on a daily basis.

“I think we’re looking beyond the Doncaster game for when he’s a genuine contender for the squad.”