The timeline for new-deal talks between Rotherham United and Hakeem Odoffin

Rotherham United's Hakeem Odoffin. Picture: Jim Brailsford

ROTHERHAM United are planning to open discussions over a new contract with Hakeem Odoffin and are confident a deal can be wrapped up by the turn of the year.

Manager Steve Evans wants to see the Millers in or around the League One play-off places before talks take place and believes it won't be long before his side are in or around the top six.

“We're keen to sit down with Haks, he's keen to sit down with us,” the boss told the Advertiser.

After a frustrating start to the campaign following a squad rebuild, Rotherham have begun to climb the table and their last two matches have brought a home win and an away draw against high-flying sides Huddersfield Town and Charlton Athletic respectively.

“Talks will start when we believe our season is really up and running,” Evans said.

“We are two or three wins away from saying: ‘Right, we're where we need to be now and we can do one or two bits that don't take anyone's focus away from what's happening on the pitch.’

“What happens on the pitch has to be our main focus in a season like this one when you see the strength of the division.”

Odoffin, who can play in midfield, in central defence and as a right-back, is in the final year of his present contract after the Millers activated a 12-month extension clause in the summer to take him into a fourth season at AESSEAL New York Stadium.

The 26-year-old joined the club from Scottish side Hamilton Academical and has become a key member of the squad.

“We're not going to run away from him and the kid's not going to run away from us,” Evans said. “We love him as a person and a player. The people at the club know my feelings about him.

“There's going to be no surprises unless Haks changes the goalposts. As long as I'm the manager, I won't be changing them.

“We don't want to be running it beyond the Christmas period for his sake or ours.”

Rotherham are at home to Burton Albion on Saturday before another S60 clash the week after against Birmingham City.

“There isn't a player at the club who doesn't look forward to playing at New York,” Evans said. “We're playing against a Burton team that's had big investment over the summer under new owners.”