Promoted Millers refine player wish list

PLANNING for the Championship has begun in earnest at Rotherham United.

The task of strengthening the League One promotion team ready for another crack at the second tier is the focus of a recruitment meeting today, but the Millers won't be starting with a blank sheet of paper.

Forward planning has been going on for the last couple of months focusing on targets for both divisions. Manager Paul Warne had a meeting with one last Friday. Now the club knows its fate, efforts can be stepped up.

Chief operating officer Paul Douglas promised: "We all know how difficult the Championship is and the size of clubs up there but we made a three-year go of it last time. Let's have another go and we'll see how we get on."

Speaking to BBC Radio Sheffield after Sunday's League One play-off final win over Shrewsbury, chairman Tony Stewart said that a new contract for manager Paul Warne would be under discussion. The promotion winner has been on a rolling deal since taking permanent charge last April.

Paul Warne at Wembley with Paul Douglas, Richie Barker, Mike Pollitt, Tony Stewart and Matt Hamshaw.

Warne's immediate priority is making some carefully selected additions to his squad. Only two senior players, goalkeeper Lewis Price and defender Shaun Cummings, are out of contract. There is also the question of whether loan players Marek Rodak, Josh Emmanuel, Caolan Lavery and Richie Towell may or may not return.

Added Warne: "The Championship will be hard, I'm well aware of the difficulties that lay ahead.

"This group are amazing, I have no plans to rip the squad apart and start again. I don't believe in that, I believe in adding to what I've got."

The Millers will say a thank-you to fans tonight on open top bus tour starts at the AESSEAL New York Stadium at 6pm, followed by a presentation in All Saints' Square at 6.20pm and a civic dinner.