Paul Warne talks to www.themillers.co.uk...
Rotherham United boss Paul Warne says he would like to bring five new faces to AESSEAL New York Stadium as he steps up his summer recruitment drive.
The Millers manager has expressed his interest in retaining the services of loanee Tom Adeyemi, but with a number of suitors chasing the midfielder, Warne is preparing to find a suitable replacement, whilst highlighting where he would like to strengthen in other areas.
"Ideally I would like to bring five players to the club,” Warne explained.
“If one of those has to be a long term loan, then so be it. I think we need three strikers to add to what we have got, I am looking for a goalscoring midfielder to replace Tom Adeyemi and support Lee Frecklington in that role.
“We possibly need one or two centre-halves. I would say five signings, maybe six would be ideal.”
Warne continued to explain that adding goals in the final third is high on his summer agenda and admits he is keen to get his business done early, to have the majority of his squad assembled for when the club departs for the pre-season training camp in Austria.
"I am really looking hard at the top end of the pitch. I am looking for a goalscoring midfielder, and at least one centre half and possibly two,” he explained.
“I just need to improve our goalscoring threats, so as soon as I can get the current deals concluded, then the sooner I can put my full concentration into other areas.
"I am taking the lads to Austria in early July and ideally I would take my 20 man squad all together then. I know life isn't as perfect as that but I would like to think that the majority of my signings will be in then because what we do in pre-season is crucial. I want most of them to be part of the whole five weeks. We are doing everything possible to get that done.”
Meanwhile, Warne has not ruled out further departures from his squad following the announcement of the club’s retained list and explains that he has spoken to some contracted players about the possibility of them moving on this summer.
"I've told a few individuals that they are not really part of our plans and if that they want more game time they might want to have a look out there now and see what is available,” he added.
“I am just being honest and up front. I don't want lads to come back and give everything in pre-season, and then have limited chance of playing, so I've told a few of them players. I am not going to publicly announce them, but there are a few names that might well leave before we come back for pre-season.”