Seven January names for Rotherham United

ROTHERHAM United's January wanted list contains the names of seven targets, manager Paul Warne has revealed.

The Millers don't expect to land them all but their signings in the month-long transfer window should emerge from that group of potential recruits.

"I've given my recruitment team the seven names I want," said Warne whose side slipped into the Championship relegation places following Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Bristol City when red cards for Billy Jones and Richie Towell reduced them to nine men.

"It's their job to go out and try to get them. Then I'll have to meet players and all that. They're ones I think will improve us.

"I'm not saying I'm signing all seven but they're the seven from which the two or three or four will come from. 

"The lads are doing really well for us and I don't want to criticise them in any way, but everyone needs to improve their squad."

Warne is keen to strengthen a squad who are at home to Preston North End tomorrow, the day the New Year window opens for business.

His priorities are a striker, a wide man and a central midfielder.

"We need to turn some of these good performances into points," he said after the unlucky late loss at Ashton Gate in the final game of 2018. "That might happen with a different player here and there. 

"Hopefully by the early part of January we will have some new faces in, but I'm also well aware of how frustrating the window is."

Rotherham will be without right-back Jones and midfielder Towell for the Preston clash as the pair serve one-match and three-match bans respectively.

"It doesn't bother me," Warne said. "Obviously I'd like to pick from a full complement of players but if I can't I won't cry about it. 

"I've got a good group. They're feeling positive about their performance at Bristol City and so they should be. We have a big game on Tuesday and it gives other people a chance to play."

Forwards Jamie Proctor and Kyle Vassell are ruled out by injury.

Nine men and the salute at the end ... Paul Davis's verdict on Bristol City 1 Millers 0