Centre-half Tyler Blackett joins Rotherham United

Tyler Blackett during his time with Nottingham Forest. Picture: Nottinghamshire Live

The 28-year-old free agent has agreed a short-term contract until the end of the Millers' Championship safety push.

Grant Hall, Sean Morrison and Bailey Wright are all out of action, leaving the club short of defensive cover as they negotiate the survival run-in.

Blackett, who played 110 second-tier games for Reading between 2016 and 2020, rejected the chance to join Rotherham in the January transfer window but has had a change of heart.

He spent last year playing Major League Soccer in America with FC Cincinnati and has been without a club since the MLS season ended before Christmas.

The Manchester-born defender came through the youth ranks at Old Trafford and made 11 Premier League appearances before joining Reading.

He moved to Nottingham Forest for their 20/21 Championship campaign and then agreed his trans-Atlantic switch to Cincinnati.

His deal at AESSEAL New York Stadium casts further doubt on whether long-serving club captain Richard Wood will play for the Millers again.

The veteran centre-half, who is out of contract at the end of the season, is available but has been overlooked by manager Matt Taylor since January.