Alex Bray IS still a Rotherham United player

The 23-year-old hasn’t made an appearance this season and didn’t even get on the bench during the club’s recent run of injuries, leading some to question whether he was still around.

Signed from Swansea last year after a spell on loan, Bray has struggled to break through and spent the final months of last term at Forest Green Rovers.

But in his Advertiser column this week, Warne said Bray has been in the treatment room.

“Alex is here, he only started training with the squad on Wednesday, it was his first day back after injury,” he said.

“He's been out with different things for a while now and really needs to start playing football again.

“We will monitor him over the next few weeks and he might be able to go out on loan.”

Clark Robertson: on the way back.

On Monday the Millers step up preparations for their return to action against Bolton. The squad will include a fit and refreshed Richie Towell, among others.

“I gave the players Monday off and they trained Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday,” said Warne. “The training has been reasonably physical but not over the top.

“Clark Robertson and Jamie Proctor will both start back training with the squad on Monday and both look great. They're running on the grass every day.

“Richard Wood will be back so it feels like I have some of my main players back, which is great news.

“All being well we'll be in much better fettle for next weekend.”

Richie Towell: recovered from knee injury.

Proctor signed a new extended contract yesterday until 2021 and fellow striker Michael Smith to 2022.

Added Warne: "Both are committed to the cause, they've earned them. Hopefully in 12 months' time I will be negotiating with them again because they have done so well. That's the ideal."

Defender Semi Ajayi, meanwhile, is in the Nigerian squad for the first part of their African Cup of Nations double-header against Libya tomorrow while goalkeeper Marek Rodak is on duty for the full Slovakian squad against the Czech Republic in the UEFA Nations League.