Rotherham United's Jake Hull missed the training camp in Murcia because he had an opportunity elsewhere

YOUNGSTER Jake Hull was a missing man for Rotherham United during their training trip to Murcia because he was spending time on trial with Tranmere Rovers.  

The centre-half trained with the League Two club and played in two pre-season games and has since returned to the Championship Millers.

“It's not materialised into anything, which we hoped it would do in terms of a loan,” manager Matt Taylor said. “It would have been perfect for him.”

Hull, aged 21, had a successful second-tier spell at Hartlepool United in the 2021/22 season but his progress stalled last term when his temporary destinations were confined to National League North clubs Boston United and Buxton.

The 6ft 6in homegrown prospect doesn't feature in Taylor's first-team thinking for now and Rotherham will try fix up another loan him.

“He might have to assess National League options,” Taylor said. “He needs to play professional football.

“He’s not in my plans in the short term. He's got to find some rhythm and consistency to his game. For whatever reason, that's not been able to happen at a sufficient level.

“Next season is going to be massive for him. He has to play at some level that gives us an insight into whether he will or will not be good enough for us.”

The former Sheffield United trainee came through Rotherham's youth ranks and made three winning starts in the Papa Johns Trophy before heading to Pools where he impressed in seven league outings.

Hull is one of a pack of young players the Millers want to send out on loan but his case is seen as the most pressing.

He is the eldest member of a group that also includes fellow central defender Hamish Douglas, midfielders Curtis Durose and Kieran McGuckin and first-year pros winger Joel Holvey and goalkeeper Nat Ford.

“We're desperate for good loans for them, maybe more so for Jake than any of the others because he's a bit more senior,” Taylor said.

Hull signed his first pro deal in August 2020 and in August 2021 Rotherham extended it until the summer of 2022. They then gave him a new three-year contract.