Alex Bruce's wait over Sam Nombe money in push for more Rotherham United recruitment

Alex Bruce has yet to hear whether he'll be allowed to use any of the Sam Nombe sale proceeds as he seeks to bring more new faces to Rotherham United.

The Millers have made nine summer signings so far as they build towards the forthcoming League Two campaign and the head coach is keen on further arrivals.

Striker Sam Nombe was sold to League One MK Dons on July 24 for a fee of £600,000 (plus add-ons) and Bruce is hoping that some of it will be added to the recruitment budget.

"I'm not sure yet, still waiting, so we'll see," he told the Advertiser.

Well-travelled strikers Paul Mullin and Tom Bradshaw are among the incomings, and the head coach is aiming to add younger faces to his frontline as well.

"In an ideal world, I would," Bruce said. "I think we've got that blend of experience now,. However, I think you need three or four people at the top end of the pitch and we've got two at the moment.

"I'm not one for round pegs, square holes, I don't want wide players doing a job up top and things like that. I would like to have numbers in areas, and I'll always be greedy. I have to respect the fact that we have budgets and things to stick to, but I'll keep probing and keep asking the question and we'll just have to see what we can do.

Another new attacker, Fabio Tavares, is very much regarded as someone who will operate on the left flank rather than centrally.

Bruce said that the signings had been a team affair involving him, director of football recruitment Rob Scott, head of football Steve McClaren, chief scout and operations manager Warren Spalding, coach Steve Agnew and goalkeeper coach Richard Hartis.

"I said to you three or four weeks ago that I was going to take my time with it and make sure we got the right things done," he said. "There's a lot of work going on behind the scenes. We've all been looking.

"We've had meeting after meeting and we've scoured everywhere. We want to take our time with it and get the right ones. It's been a group effort. Let's hope we can bring the right individuals in."

The Millers have shown real improvement through their pre-season programme and Bruce, who was appointed at the end of June, is cautiously encouraged by what he's seen.

"I want to build something that represents this club in the right way. Hopefully, we've seen signs, but we've still got a lot of work to do - I have to reiterate that."

Meanwhile, he praised the impact of one of the new boys, midfielder Jamie Jellis, who is a contender to wear the skipper's armband next season.

"I like everything Jamie stands for," Bruce said. "Since he’s come in, he’s worked his socks off every single day.

"I know I've been asked the question on who the captain is going to be. I think it’s important that we have three or four leaders on the pitch, and he’s certainly one of those."