Striker tops Rotherham United's three-man January list

The Millers manager would also like to add another central midfielder and a wide man to his squad and is confident he will have the financial support of chairman Tony Stewart in his quest to bring in fresh blood.

Rotherham, who have lost both of their festive Championship fixtures so far and head to Bristol City tomorrow in 21st spot, may also receive offers for some of their own players once business begins next Tuesday.

“We need another attacking option, we need another player in the middle of the park and someone out wide,” Warne said after the 2-1 loss at Bolton Wanderers on Boxing Day had left his side a point above the drop zone.

“Obviously, I also have to fill any holes in positions where I might lose people.”

Warne and Stewart enjoy a warm relationship and work closely together on transfers as they bid to compete against other clubs in the second tier with far bigger budgets.

“I'd like to think I'll be backed,” Warne said. “I have no reason to think otherwise. The chairman hasn't said anything like that.

“In an ideal world, I'd like to get a striker, a wide man and a midfielder. They would add something to us and be something different to what we've already got, I think.

“We try to recruit sensibly. There is a certain ilk of player we can get here, obviously. We try to do all we possibly can behind the scenes to get those players through the door.

“Things won't change in that respect. We'll work hard and diligently, as we always do, and try to get people in here who the Rotherham fans will like to watch.”

Warne's attacking options have been limited by a groin injury to forward Kyle Vassell who remains on the sidelines as the Millers head to Ashton Gate.

Fellow striker Jamie Proctor and midfielder Richie Towell picked up knocks at the University of Bolton Stadium while left-back Joe Mattock's troublesome heel was sore. All three were being assessed yesterday and today.

Loan right-back Zak Vyner will miss out against the Robins who are his parent club.

“We felt a little bit threadbare at Bolton,” Warne said. “We played two up front and currently we have only two strikers at the club.

“If I'd wanted to make a change regarding those up top, I'd have had to have changed my system, which I ended up doing anyway because Procs was injured.”

The boss has revealed that one fringe member of his first-team squad sought clarification about his future earlier this month.

“I had a player knock on my door, understandably so, and ask me for my thoughts on them,” Warne said. “I told them I didn't want them to leave because they're a big part of what we're trying to do.

“There is no-one in my squad I don't like. The ones on the periphery now might be in the team next week. I don't want any of them to go.

“The player who came to see me, I said to him: 'See how you feel in three weeks' time.' He wasn't asking to leave, he was just asking to see what my situation was.

“It would be easy for me to say to a player: 'You're not in my plans. I understand why you're in my room, it's absolutely fine, try to get yourself sorted out in January.'

“But that isn't the case. I think the player will force his way back into the team and I hope he stays with us.”

The Millers are at home to Preston North End on New Year's Day.

This article first appeared in the Advertiser