Rotherham United signings update and the trip to Budapest

PAUL Warne will press ahead with his attempts to kick-start Rotherham United's summer recruitment despite being in Hungary for the next six days.

The League One Millers fly out from Manchester Airport tonight and will be based in Budapest for a boot camp until next Sunday.

But boss Warne, who spoke to two different targets over the weekend in a bid to close in on his first pre-season signing, will still be on hand for transfer discussions all this week.

"I'll be available for any conversations on the phone or on Zoom that might need to happen," he said after last Saturday's 11-0 friendly win over non-league neighbours Parkgate FC.

"I had a Zoom call with player this morning and I'm having a Zoom call with a player tomorrow.

"We have to bring in players who are available, affordable and make our squad better. I think our first 11 is excellent but we don't have enough strength in depth."

The manager has made new defenders a priority after losing centre-halves Angus MacDonald and Curtis Tilt for the start of the season and seeing full-backs Matt Olosunde and Trevor Clarke move to Preston North End and Bristol Rovers respectively.

"We've got only a back four and don't have anyone in reserve to back them up or compete with them," he said. "Sorting that out is a massive priority for us."

He also wants to bring in a midfielder, a striker and an extra face on the left flank in addition to a full-back.

Rotherham finalised their stay in Budapest late last week after originally deciding against it when they were quoted £11,000 for all the necessary Covid testing.

However, it turned out that a camp in Britain would have cost even more than going abroad.

"It's been very difficult to organise but I think it's essential that we get away," Warne said. "I've made no bones about the fact that the end of last season (Championship relegation) hit everyone hard. I think the change of scenery will do us good."

The Millers have a match arranged for Wednesday night against Hungarian opposition and may also play informal practice games against two sides from this country staying in the same area.