Rotherham United captain Richard Wood set for new contract

Manager Paul Warne - who this morning revealed that "a couple" of his staff have contracted Covid - says discussions with other players coming towards the end of their contracts won't begin in earnest until the New Year.

However, in the case of the veteran skipper negotiations are well under way and are expected to reach a successful conclusion.

"I've spoken to him about a new contract," Warne said. "That's something that is going on and I can't see us being a million miles away.

"I've said this to the chairman, and the chairman agrees with me, that Woody is fundamental to our success."

Thirty-six-year-old Wood has played at the heart of a three-man backline as the Millers have climbed to the top of League One on the back of a 20-match unbeaten run and should lead the side at Cambridge United on Saturday.

The club's longest-serving player has been at AESSEAL New York Stadium since the summer of 2014 and has signed one-year deals in the last few seasons.

Meanwhile, there are Covid cases in the Rotherham camp, although today none of the playing squad were reporting symptoms.

"I've had a couple of members of staff go down with it," Warne said. "As soon as you think it's in the building, you start panicking. No players today are symptomatic of any drama.

"We travelling to Cambridge tomorrow and I'm panicking that I'll get a text from one of the medical staff on Saturday morning saying: 'Gaffer, we've got a problem.' I'm pretty anxious about it."