The only way Rotherham United will sign a striker before next Thursday's deadline day

The Millers, unbeaten in their first four league starts as they look to establish themselves in the Championship, have exhausted their search for the loan centre-forward manager Paul Warne is seeking to complete his summer recruitment.

It would take a player who has not been mentioned before to suddenly be obtainable for him to push the button on signing number 11.

"It's very unlikely I will bring in another striker," Warne said. "I'm not close to anything. I don't see anyone coming into the building with the names connected to me at the moment.

"If we do sign someone else because they become available to me, then fair enough. But at the moment I'm not actively speaking to an agent or a player."

Rotherham have Chiedozie Ogbene, Conor Washington, Tom Eaves, Georgie Kelly and Josh Kayode competing for places up front, although Kayode may be loaned out.

The boss believes the new 'nine substitutes' rule has stopped Premier League clubs from releasing players into the divisions below as much as they have in seasons gone by.

"It's definitely made a difference," he said. "Top-flight sides are more reluctant to let players go because they have a bigger bench to fill. There is a dearth of players.

"All clubs want to sign strikers. You can be the best team box to box but if you can't score you're in big trouble. I'm happy with my strikers but, obviously, I'd always like another one."

The window closes at 11pm next Thursday and Warne is fervently hoping the club hang on to star performers like Ben Wiles and Dan Barlaser, who have been the subject of rejected bids from Burnley and Blackpool respectively, and another man with admirers, Ogbene.

The manager said: "There are no rumours at all, no agents saying: 'Get ready, Warney, there's another offer coming in this week.'

"Normally you get a bit of smoke ... you can see the smoke over the six hills and you think: 'Here we go, the fire's going to light.' There's been no smoke."