Recruitment update: The latest on Rotherham United's quest to bring in players
ROTHERHAM United are lining up more signings as they seek to bolster every area of their team in readiness for the start of the League Two campaign that is now just a month away.
Head coach Alex Bruce isn't ruling out fresh blood arriving before the Millers head to Matlock Town on Saturday for the third pre-season outing.
However, he believes that deals are likely to be sealed in the wake of that fixture.
“Things are ongoing, we are relatively close,” he told the Advertiser after last night's 1-1 draw at non-league Emley.
“I'm hoping that maybe we could get a couple of bodies in by the weekend. It's possible, but next week is more realistic.”
Bruce has been in the role since only late last month and has inherited a squad low on numbers following a raft of summer departures.
So far, he has brought in two midfielders, a winger and an attacker and says a major influx is still required.
“We're looking for players in every position, if I'm being brutally honest,” he said. “The numbers are what they are. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to realise that we need to strengthen everywhere.”
The new faces are Fabio Tavares, Aaron Nemane, Ossama Ashley and Jamie Jellis, and only Tavares has featured in the opening two friendlies.
The other three, who arrived later than Tavares, are working out with their teammates and are expected to have their first action against Matlock who play a level below Emley in the Northern Premier League Premier East Division.
“I wanted to give those boys a week's training before they played - the same as I did with the lads who've been with us from the first day," said Bruce. “If they come through Thursday and Friday, then they will be involved on Saturday.”
Rotherham have goalkeeper Max Thompson, full-back Brandon Williams, wing-back James Furlong and a midfield man, whose identity had not been revealed, on trial and more players are poised to join the first-team group this week in a bid to earn contracts.
“Some of the trialists don't know where they stand just yet, but they will do in the coming days,” said Bruce.
The Millers head to Alfreton next Tuesday evening and then have their first pre-season date at AESSEAL New York Stadium, against Championship neighbours Sheffield United, the following Saturday.