Numbers game for Millers

Manager Steve Evans is looking for six or seven permanent signings and hopes to have most of them in by the time pre-season training begins on June 30.

And although there will be an accent on quality rather than quantity, the targets must sit within the club's wage structure.

Evans said: “Of course everyone understands that when you are Rotherham United and you go into the Championship then it is fantastic for us all, but the task gets harder for our chief operating officer Paul Douglas in terms of getting players over the line and agreeing the finances.”

The club will also look to bring in loan players, though not in anything like the numbers seen last term, and finding replacements for departed skipper Craig Morgan and midfield man Ben Pringle is another priority.

The Millers chief has ruled out an immediate move for Luciano Becchio, the striker who made an impression on loan from Norwich City last season before injury cut short his stay.

Meanwhile, talks are ongoing to set up more pre-season friendlies to add to the six already announced.

They include a three-match tour of Scotland which finishes on July 25, a fortnight before the action begins for real on August 8.