Why Rotherham United chose not to sign a winger on deadline day

Rotherham United switched targets in the closing stages of the transfer window and ditched their plan to add a wide man to their League Two squad.

A winger had long been on boss Alex Bruce's wish list but two factors played a part in the Millers changing their mind as the 11pm close of September 1’s deadline day approached.

No available player quite fitted their bill on the flank and opportunities were opening up to improve other areas of their side.

"It was a little bit of both," said Bruce. "Every coach, every manager that you speak to will say 'I wanted this, I wanted that, I wanted to improve certain areas'. It's about finding the right personnel.

"Yes, we wanted to strengthen in certain areas, but when players became available in other positions who were going to add quality and bring something to the squad, it was a case of acting on those."

Rotherham signed midfielders Josh Austerfield and Jayce Fitzgerald in the final few days of the window and then brought in forward pair George Sebine and Klaidi Lolos right on the deadline.

Bruce was coy about the prospect of a free-agent arrival now that the window has closed, saying: "Possibly, but I doubt it at the moment. You'll just have to watch this space."

However, head of football Steve McClaren was much more positive and said that "absolutely" the club were still checking out the market.

Centre-half Dominic Iorfa, who left Sheffield Wednesday in May after seven seasons at Hillsborough, has trained with the Millers at Roundwood.

Dutch attacker Ar'Jany Martha left AESSEAL New York Stadium last week and joined Eredivisie team Telstar on a season-long loan.

Bruce said: “At the age he's at, he's got to go and play somewhere and feel wanted. I just felt as if it was the right move for him.

"He's going back home to Holland. It's where he's from, and sometimes you've got to take that into consideration as well."