New goalkeeper heading to Rotherham United

Rotherham United are on the brink of bringing in a new goalkeeper to vie for the number-one spot with Ted Cann when their League Two campaign gets under way.

Cann finished last season's relegation season as first-choice shot-stopper and, after starting in every pre-season friendly, was between the sticks for the 4-1 Carabao Cup first-round loss against Championship West Bromwich Albion.

However, his form has been unconvincing and the Millers have identified a player they want to bring to AESSEAL New York Stadium.

"We've got a keeper to do and I think we're close to one," boss Alex Bruce told the Advertiser on Saturday. "It should be done in the next couple of days."

A name being mentioned is former Sheffield Wednesday man Joe Wildsmith, who is a free agent after leaving West Brom in May, but the target's identity has yet to be confirmed.

Wildsmith, aged 30, never established himself as a regular starter with his hometown club, the Owls, but went on to do well for Derby County and win promotion to the Championship.

He joined Albion in 2024 and made 20 appearances over the course of his two-season spell at the Hawthorns.

Rotherham, who kick off league proceedings at Cheltenham Town next weekend, haven't completely turned their back on trialist keeper Jake Turner who featured in four summer games following his exit from fourth-tier Gillingham.

However, a parting of the ways would seem to be on the cards.

"He's on the back burner, but I'm close to doing another one," Bruce said.

Meanwhile, left-back Brandon Williams, on trial through pre-season, is still with the club but, so far, there has been no contract offer for the 25-year-old who is seeking to re-ignite his career after dealing with personal issues over the last couple of years.

"There's no time frame," said Bruce. "Brandon's not had a pre-season for three or four years now. He's getting better every week. I just need to give him time."

Williams spent two seasons playing in the Premier League with Manchester United's and had loan spells at Norwich City and Ipswich Town before a move to Hull City didn't work out.

Bruce added: "You can keep a trialist around as long as you want, as long as he's happy to be here. We still need bodies, we still need people who can come and make up the numbers in terms us being able to put training sessions on.

"For example, on Monday morning some of the lads might need a bit of a recovery day and we still need a group to train. All these things need to be taken into consideration.

"I won't keep people here when there's no future for them, that's for sure - I'll make that clear now. But any who I'm still thinking about, while juggling plates with a few things, will remain around me until I tell them otherwise."

Former Rotherham manager Matt Hamshaw is believed to be in line for a coaching role with the League One Owls, one of the clubs he used to play for.

The 44-year-old, who has won four third-tier promotions as a coach, has been out of work since being dismissed by Rotherham in March.