Last three trialists about to learn their Rotherham United fate
The chance to impress in friendlies is now over
Rotherham United are making final decisions on the trio of players who have been bidding to earn contracts with the club during pre-season.
At one stage, the League Two Millers had seven trialists with them, but that number was whittled down to three by the time of Tuesday night's final friendly at home to Derby County.
Left-back Brandon Williams, centre-half Sonny Aljofree and goalkeeper Jake Turner all featured in the 1-1 draw four days before this Saturday's Carabao Cup clash against West Bromwich Albion heralds the start of the 2026/27 campaign.
"I'm not sure yet, I'm still waiting on a few things," said boss Alex Bruce when asked by the Advertiser after the Rams game whether any of them will be offered deals. "We'll tell them in the next 24 to 48 hours."
Rotherham have made a flurry of recent signings, with more in the pipeline, and the trialists' fate depends on what other recruitment can be lined up.
"I'd like to make calls now, but it's about juggling a few things around and seeing what we can and can't do at the minute," Bruce said.
"It's not as easy as going and giving them all contracts because we have to stick to budgets and we need to strengthen elsewhere as well."
Former Manchester United player Williams has been with the Millers for all seven of their friendlies., Aljofree, who came though the youth ranks at Old Trafford, has played in the last five matches and Turner, who spent four seasons with Gillingham, has pulled on a shirt in the last four.
The number of summer incomings is now approaching double figures and Rotherham have improved game by game during seven pre-season outings.
"I'm liking the balance of it, I'm seeing things happening and the belly of the squad is taking shape, but I still want more," Bruce said.
"I think that over the course of a League Two season you need a certain amount of bodies, we all know that. I think we're still a little bit short, but I'll keep rattling the cage.
"I hope that people can see that there's been improvements made. I've always said I'm not going to dive in to bringing in anyone. I want to make sure they're the right characters, because that mistake has been made before here and it won't be happening again."