Rotherham United look to fill final midfield space

Ready to go...Ryan Manning arrived in time for yesterday's new-season photo call.

The 22-year-old Irishman arrived on a season-long deal yesterday and goes straight into contention for tomorrow's match at Leeds.

Manning joined QPR three years ago and has made around 20 appearances in each of the last two seasons.

Although he will bring competition for the club's only two senior central midfielders, Will Vaulks and Matt Palmer, manager Paul Warne wants to do more business before the loans window shuts at the end of the month.

He said: "I can't expect Will and Matt to play every game, particularly with the way we ask our midfielders to run as well. You just can't do it Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday-Tuesday, it is physically impossible.

"Ideally we need four centre-midfielders and if the opportunity arises I will be bringing in another one as well.

"That's the engine room of your team and in this league it plays an even bigger part, so we need legs in there."

Warne said the club had done well to keep the Manning deal "under the radar" and clearly feels he has got a player who can make an impact.

Paul Warne and assistant Richie Barker.

"He's athletic, he loves a tackle, he's a really nice kid and when I was told he was available I was surprised, and in a good way," said Warne. "We've ticked boxes with him all the way along. He's trained with the squad, looked really good and he'll be playing a part on Saturday for sure."

Manning revealed that the chances of him moving to South Yorkshire didn’t really accelerate until Wednesday morning. He drove up on Wednesday night and sorted the deal yesterday morning. He is contracted at Loftus Road until 2020 and still has ambitions there.

“Things were going well at QPR but I need to get my own experience and play games. If I wasn’t going to get that there, I needed to go elsewhere,” said Manning.

“It’s a good step in my career and a good step for QPR in letting me get the experience that is needed for me to cement a place in that team. It is a good decision for both parties. I want to get goals, get assists and be a good asset for this team.”