'Not for sale' ... Rotherham United boss Paul Warne on January interest in his free-scoring frontline

Kyle VasellKyle Vasell
Kyle Vasell
ROTHERHAM United boss Paul Warne has issued a ‘hands off’ warning to clubs who may be planning bids for any of his prolific strikeforce in the January transfer window.

The Millers are top of League One and are the division's top scorers and Warne accepts there will be interest in Kyle Vassell, Michael Smith and 12-goal marksman Freddie Ladapo.

But the boss, whose side are at home to Bristol Rovers tomorrow, has this message for potential suitors: “None of them are for sale. We don't need the money.”

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Vassell is coveted by League Two Salford City who tried to sign him in the summer and remain keen to take him to the Peninsula Stadium.

Warne would consider selling only if one of his players expressed a wish to leave and in-form Vassell, after scoring four times in his last four outings, has already stated he is happy to stay at AESSEAL New York Stadium

“I was expecting a fight to keep Vass prior to the month starting,” the manager said. “Everyone is after strikers all of the time and we have had people sniff around him before.

“Freddie hasn't started the last two games so there is probably more chance of clubs sniffing around him.

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“If it is a player's complete desire to go then that is a conversation we would have to have. However, I can't see anything happening.

“If you go after a player from the top of the league it would have to be some offer to stop our promotion plan and turn our chairman's head.”

Rotherham, having already landed winger Hakeeb Adelakun, will add an attacker and a centre-half to their squad in January if the right opportunities arise but Warne won't lose sleep if there are no more arrivals.

“We're not close to anything really,” he said. “We are in a good place. The team is okay. I don't need to rock it.

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“It takes new signings about ten games to 'get it' here, so if I have a fully-fit squad there is no point me bringing in extra players and not being able to get the best out of them until March or April.

“There is still a bit of time in this window. If I have any injury issues, there are a couple of players on my radar. At the moment, I am pretty happy.

“I run a small squad and they are a close group, which is worth something in my opinion, so if I don't need to change I won't.”

Joe Mattock has completed his three-match suspension but the left-back has had an injection in his troublesome back and may not be available for the Bristol clash. The Millers were hoping he would train yesterday (Thursday) or today.

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Midfielder Shaun MacDonald is back in full training after a calf problem and could be in the squad.

The match sees former Rotherham striker Jonson Clarke-Harris, who is Rovers' leading scorer, return to New York for the first time since he left two years ago.

“I think he will get a good reception,” Warne said. “He didn't leave under a cloud and he was popular with fans. Coming back will raise his game. I think he is their best player, their best threat.”

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