What's in store for the Rotherham United class of 2021/22?

Millers manager Paul Warne has 19 senior professionals and a group of youngsters at his disposal, although the picture will no doubt change before League One August 7 opening day as new faces arrive and some players leave.

PAUL DAVIS assesses the 19 and their prospects before Rotherham kick off at home to Plymouth as they bid for an instant return to the Championship.

SENIOR PROS

Goalkeepers:

Viktor Johansson

The brave, crazy Swede who is capable of gravity-defying saves will almost certainly start the League One campaign as number-one choice after impressing in the Championship last season. 2020/21 was supposed to be a development year for him after his switch from Leicester City but he did enough to oust Jamal Blackman and become a favourite of the fans.

Josh Vickers

Never made an appearance in his first season with the Millers last year but is a proven performer at this level and is regarded as more-than-capable back-up for Johansson.

Right-back:

Wes Harding

The Advertiser’s Player of the Year last season when he featured in every match. His pace, power and athleticism should make him a stand-out performer in the third tier. Loving life with Rotherham after his move from Birmingham City.

Left-backs:

Joe Mattock

The Millers’ second-longest-serving player after Richard Wood. Will offer experience and attacking flair as long as he stays clear of injury. This has been a problem position in recent seasons and Mattock’s absences have been keenly felt. Manager Paul Warne is looking to strengthen in this area during the transfer window.

Trevor Clarke

The 23-year-old has never managed to establish himself in Warne’s first team after arriving from Shamrock Rovers in 2019 and, as he enters the final year of his contract, could leave on loan or permanently in search of the game-time he needs.

Centre-halves:

Michael Ihiekwe

So good in League One two seasons ago that he made the PFA Team of the Year and is likely to be key man in defence again.

Angus MacDonald

He came good in the second half of last season to underline his Championship quality and should be a strong performer in the division below.

Curtis Tilt

His January 2020 £100,00 move from Blackpool to AESSEAL New York Stadium just hasn’t worked out so far through injuries and other players being above him in the pecking order. Warne says he will be given a chance in pre-season but the 29-year-old enjoyed himself in a productive loan spell at Wigan Athletic last term and it would be no surprise if he ended up back with the Latics. He still has two years on his Rotherham deal.

Richard Wood

Three aims for the veteran captain: lead the team to a third successive promotion from League One, play as many games as possible as he closes in on 600 career appearances and earn another one-year deal.

Midfielders:

Ben Wiles

There’s lots of Championship transfer speculation surrounding one of Rotherham’s biggest assets but the 22-year-old is in no rush to leave and would embrace another season at New York if that’s how things work out.

Jamie Lindsay

Ran, ran some more and kicked, barked and bit to great effect in the Championship last season. The Scot should be even more effective a division lower and is the type of competitor every team needs. Rotherham are looking for a big season and he could be a big player.

Matt Crooks

The Millers player most likely to be sold. Championship sides want the 27-year-old who is now in the last year of his contract and the player, after stellar service, is ready for a new challenge and a more lucrative deal elsewhere. League One big hitters Ipswich Town are also serious admirers. No bid yet has come anywhere near Rotherham’s valuation. There aren’t many like the six-foot-five-inch running machine and his departure would be a huge blow.

Dan Barlaser

The quarter-back of the League One promotion two seasons ago didn’t have quite the same influence in the Championship when there were no wingers for him to hit those glorious ‘diags’ to. The wide men could be back next season and Barlaser should once again be one of the third tier’s most influential performers.

Wingers:

Chiedozie Ogbene

His Championship campaign was wrecked by injury. If the flying wide man can return to his form of two years ago then League One had better watch out. He’s the fastest player Warne has ever seen and a thrilling sight in full flight.

Kieran Sadlier

Endured a frustrating first year with the Millers when injury and a change in team formation restricted him to 17 outings. He’s been a major player for Doncaster Rovers in the third tier in the past and Warne knows what a dangerous opponent he can be. If he stays at New York, the 26-year-old can expect to wear the shirt far more often in 2021/22.

Mikel Miller

Don’t write him off. He suffered like Sadlier last season when the Millers switched from 4-4-2 to 3-5-2 and went out on loan in January because he was desperate to play. Rotherham liked what they saw off him going forward but questioned his defensive contribution. New season, new chance, new hope.

Strikers:

Freddie Ladapo

Who knows? There’s a feeling the Millers would sell at the right place and that the player is open to move away. The £400,000 record signing has been hit and miss during his two years in South Yorkshire and doesn’t fit Warne’s ‘It’s all about the team’ ethos in the way most of his teammates do. He certainly knows where the net is in League One. Championship Derby County deny any interest despite January reports that they made an enquiry.

Michael Smith

Middlesbrough, Bristol City and at least one other Championship club are admirers and there is no guarantee that the 29-year-old Geordie will be with the Millers next season. He could earn far more elsewhere and now would be the time for Rotherham to cash in as he’s entering the final year of his deal. They wouldn’t stand in his way after his magnificent service but neither would they sell cheaply. Warne will be delighted if the player chooses to stay.

Josh Kayode

‘JJ’ earned rave reviews during his loan at League Two Carlisle United last season. Everyone wants this to be the 20-year-old’s breakthrough year with the Millers and the Republic of Ireland youth international looks to have what it takes to make his mark. Rotherham will have a real attacking threat on their hands if he turns out to be as good as Warne and his staff think he can be.

YOUNG PROS

Jake Cooper (centre-half)

Jake Hull (centre-half)

Jerome Greaves (striker)

Jacob Gratton (striker)

All of them will be given the opportunity to stake their claim in pre-season but loans are the likely way forward for the young quartet as they continue their development. Cooper would benefit from a first taste of EFL action after non-league spells with Gateshead and Hartlepool United.