Rotherham United contract on table for Joe Mattock

The left-back's contract is due to expire and manager Paul Warne believes a fresh one could be signed and sealed within days of the Championship campaign ending.

There is an existing option for the club to extend Mattock's deal by 12 months but Warne wants to reward the 28-year-old for a stand-out season by putting much longer terms on the table.

"I've spoken to Joe and told him I'll sort him out," said the boss. "Joe knows the situation. I would never lie to any of my players. He knows I'll be true to my word and we should get it sorted next week.

"I've joked with him that he can have a testimonial season because he's been here that long now! He's been unbelievable this year. He's one of the unsung heroes. He's someone I'd like to keep at the club forever and a day really.

"He's been fit for virtually every game this season and has been really reliable. I don't want to go back to romantic times and Paul Hurst and all that, but I think if you have a left-back who always does exactly what you want him to do, then you're on to something good."

Warne has yet to speak to the player's agent but he revealed that head of recruitment Rob Scott has "touched base" with him.

Mattock has made 158 appearances since joining the Millers in 2015 from Sheffield Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Warne has decided against keeping a teenage central midfielder from Ipswich Town who has been on trial at the club's Roundwood training complex and featured in a reserve game ten days ago.

"I won't be taking him," the manager confirmed. "He's a great kid. He trained with us and I really liked him. He'll definitely have a career. Right now, though, I just can't see him helping the first team in the next 12 to 18 months."

A longer version of this article first appeared in the Advertiser