Rotherham United boss Paul Warne on the Marek Rodak/Fulham loan question
The in-form 21-year-old is on a season-long loan from Premier League Fulham and will be a key man for Paul Warne's side in tonight's Championship clash with Queens Park Rangers at AESSEAL New York Stadium.
But the Cottagers have just appointed Claudio Ranieri as manager and the new boss could decide to recall Rodak in the January transfer window to help in the fight against top-flight relegation.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad“We will have to have that conversation,” said Rotherham manager Warne, who had a recruitment meeting last Thursday afternoon. “Claudio might even want to sign a goalkeeper or he might be more than happy with the keepers he already has there.
“I haven't rattled that cage but we're all aware of the change in situation.
“I think we'll probably get through the next few games, let their manager get his feet under the table and then have a conversation in December.”
Rodak played a big part in the Millers' League One promotion campaign and has been an ever-present in the second tier this term.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad“We haven't spoken to Fulham yet,” added Warne who watched the Doncaster Rovers v AFC Wimbledon match during the international break. “In fairness to their new manager, I would have thought speaking to their players out on loan isn't top of his agenda.
“That's the trouble with loans. You can be ticking along quite nicely and suddenly a few are called back here and there. Then you have to have admirable replacements, which my recruitment guy should be coming up with.”
Warne would love to keep Rodak until May but is staying relaxed until there is a verdict.
“Even if I'd already spoken to Fulham and they'd said we'd definitely got Marek for the season that could still change,” he said. “In football, things can change in a heartbeat.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad“Marek is their player. They could phone up tomorrow and say 'We want this to happen or that to happen'. Unfortunately, we're entirely in the hands of them.
“There's no point being stressed because I can't affect the outcome.”
Centre-half Sean Raggett was playing for the reserves this afternoon after rejoining full training eight days ago following ankle surgery and is being pencilled in for a December 8 return to first-team contention when the Millers travel to Sheffield Wednesday.
A version of this article appeared in last Friday's Advertiser