Rotherham United boss Matt Hamshaw delivers a free-agent update and drops a hint about January
ROTHERHAM United are checking out free-agent targets but it may be that they decide to wait until the January transfer window before adding to their squad.
An injury list running into double figures has forced the Millers to consider signing a player without a club to bolster their numbers.
However, they won't act now unless they can find someone who they consider to be totally the right fit.
“There's always the possibility of something happening but, at the same time, as I've always said, it has to be best in the long-term interests of the club,” manager Matt Hamshaw said.
“I'm not a short-term man, as you know. Bringing in somebody ,short term, who might not have had game time and hasn't trained wouldn't be ideal. However, that doesn't mean to say that it's totally out of the question.
“It's not something that I'm desperately looking to do, but if the right one turns up then we’ll do it.
“I've said all along, a free is a free for a reason. I don't want to sign somebody on a short-term deal and then not get the games out of them. That would just be counterproductive.”
Hamshaw confirmed after last Saturday's 0-0 League One draw with Luton Town that a signing was being considered.
Any arrival would likely be an attacker as the Millers are without any fit senior strikers. Discussions have taken place but interest from other clubs may be a prohibiting factor.
One of the boss's main concerns is that a player who hasn't had game time for a considerable amount of time will inevitably be an injury risk if they are pitched into action.
A return for old boy Freddie Ladapo is extremely unlikely even if Rotherham were keen on acquiring his services again – and there is nothing to suggest that they are.
The frontman left Huddersfield Town by mutual consent after the close of the summer window to become a free agent and can’t be registered by an EFL club until January because of the timing of his exit.
Fans should definitely see activity during the new-year window, when there are likely to be incomings and outgoings at AESSEAL New York Stadium.
“In an ideal world, I would prefer to wait until January and then reshuffle the pack and see where we are,” Hamshaw said.
“We've obviously got targets and I'm really optimistic about them. I think we'll raise a few eyebrows if we can get the players that we're after.”