Millers foiled in loan bid

Manager Steve Evans revealed that the Millers were "probably just hours" from signing the 20-year-old this week before he joined Peterborough United for a club record £1.5 million.

Assombalonga scored twice against Rotherham last year while on loan at Southend United.

Evans told the Advertiser: "I had two or three conversations with Gianfranco Zola at Watford about the player but then I had a call from the player's agent on Tuesday night saying he was going to Peterborough for £1.5 million and that if we wished to get involved then the fee was where it was at. I'm working for the best chairman you could wish to work for but we are not at that level."

The Millers chief is nevertheless pleased with the strength of his squad ahead of tomorrow's League One opener at Crewe and Tuesday's Capital One Cup date against Sheffield Wednesday at the New York Stadium.

There will run a late check on striker Daniel Nardiello, who has been out with an hamstring injury, but have no other injury concerns for the weekend.