Rotherham United boss Paul Warne's January shopping list

Manager Paul Warne told the Advertiser he wants to add to his forward options in a bid to bolster the Millers’ League One play-off push.

“I expect something to happen,” said the boss who takes his eighth-placed side to struggling Southend United this weekend. “I think we need another attacking option and another wide man.

“Something a bit different to what we already have would be good — an attacking midfielder/number 10 and probably another winger because I don’t feel as if I quite have the complete balance yet.”

Warne is chasing only signings who could make an immediate impact and would be willing to offload members of his present squad to make way for new arrivals.

“I don’t think January is a window where we can bring in players — like we did in the summer — who we want to improve; you know, young players like Matt Olosunde and Trevor Clarke,” he said.

“It’s not an ideal time to sign people like that because I need players to come in and play straightaway as we will have only 20-odd games left to get to where we want to be in May.

“If someone has to leave for that to happen, then fair enough. As always, I’ve got to balance the books.”

Rotherham are also considering defensive reinforcements but recruitment in that area will depend on how quickly some of their injured men leave the treatment room.

“Obviously, at the moment I’ve got severe concerns with injuries at the back,” Warne said. “But, potentially, in three or four weeks when the window is open I could have Richard Wood and Billy Jones back and then wouldn’t have any issues.”

Right-back Olosunde is having a scan on a painful ankle and the Millers are keeping their fingers crossed that he will be given the all-clear for the long trip to Roots Hall.

Midfielder Shaun MacDonald may make the squad for the first time after more than two months on the sidelines.

“I’m hopeful rather than confident that Matt will be available,” Warne said.

“Shaun is hopefully going to train with the squad today (Thursday) or tomorrow. I know he’s been out for a bit but he can use his muscle memory and his experience at Southend if I need him to come on.”

Warne was nominated for the Sky Bet League One Manager of the Month Award for November and was up against Wycombe Wanderers’ Gareth Ainsworth, Portsmouth’s Kenny Jacket and Graham Coughlan of Bristol Rovers.

The winner was being announced this morning, with Ainsworth expected to pick up the trophy.