Rotherham United deal for loan striker could be off

The Millers boss was confident after Wednesday night's Carabao Cup win at Port Vale that his man would be in place for tomorrow's Championship clash with Reading.

However, he is now bracing himself for confirmation that the player he has been chasing for a month has opted for a loan move elsewhere.

Speaking to the media this morning, he said: "Prior to this press conference I've heard Chinese whispers that he's gone somewhere else. 

"After this conversation I will quickly try to get hold of his agent to find out what's happened. It doesn't look that positive."

The centre-forward, who has plenty of second-tier experience, had told Rotherham he wanted to come to AESSEAL New York Stadium to re-ignite his career but a late swoop from another club looks to have scuppered a season-long stay in S60.

"Of course you get frustrated," Warne said. "It feels worse when you're virtually at the last step and it suddenly gets taken away from you."

The Millers have another attacking loan target they want to pursue but his parent side aren't yet willing to release him.

Meanwhile, striker Conor Washington is winning his battle to recover from a dead leg in time for the Royals showdown at New York but wing-back Peter Kioso (groin) is a major doubt.

Midfielder Hakeem Odoffin misses out with a leg injury.