Rotherham United ponder new deal for Darren Potter

ROTHERHAM United will make a decision on the future of out-of-contract midfield man Darren Potter in the next few days.
Darren PotterDarren Potter
Darren Potter

Potter made his comeback after a 17-month injury ordeal in last Saturday's final match of the 2018/19 Championship campaign at home to Middlesbrough.

Now the Millers must decide whether to offer a new deal to the 34-year-old who shone when he first arrived at AESSEAL New York Stadium in 2017 before being laid low by two bouts of surgery on his achilles.

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When asked after the Boro clash if Potter would be wearing a Rotherham shirt next season, manager Paul Warne said: "I don't know. Obviously he is one of many who are out of contract. 

"They're the conversations we've been having and will have again next week."

Potter had his first taste of first-team action since December 2017 when he came on and impressed as a 66th-minute substitute against Boro.

"It's been really tough for him," Warne said. "He's been available for about four weeks really but I haven't been able to shoehorn him in - that sounds a bit harsh when I say it like that.

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"There was no-one in the team or on the bench who didn't deserve to be there so he's had to be patient because he was out for so long."

The Millers will be a League One side following this season's relegation and bowed out of the second tier with a 2-1 defeat against the Teessiders. 

Potter has class but not age on his side as Warne ponders whether he will need a sitting midfielder in the third tier.

The boss added: "I was desperate to get Pottsy on the pitch against Middlesbrough. I nearly put him on at half-time. He brings a bit of calm. People like Wilesy (teenager Ben Wiles) will learn a lot by being around him. 

"He's just a good footballer. He was out for a long time and people always write you off as soon as you hit 30. He trains really hard and has got years left in his legs."