Rotherham United: Warne's delight at Proctor return

Proctor suffered a serious cruciate knee injury just weeks after joining the club last summer.

After a tough campaign on the sidelines, Warne had the striker lead the team out for the play-off final at Wembley.

The 26-year-old had to go under the knife twice, but has been on the comeback trail in pre-season.

He came off the bench during Saturday’s friendly defeat at Mansfield and almost scored twice to put himself in contention for the club’s Championship curtain raiser at Brentford on Saturday.

And Warne said: “It was great to have Jamie back on the pitch.

“I thought he looked pretty good to be fair.

“He’s still a little bit rusty but he was a definite handful.

“I thought his header was going in and then he chipped the keeper. If it had gone in the bench would have gone ballistic for him.”

Meanwhile, Warne is hoping to boost his central midfield stocks ahead of Saturday’s league opener.

The Millers boss only has Will Vaulks and Matty Palmer to choose from in terms of senior central midfielders.

Warne has been in constant contact with Brighton’s Richie Towell after he played a pivotal part in the Millers’ promotion success last term.

The club are trying to orchestrate a loan return for the influential midfielder, with a view to do a permanent deal in the future.

Warne has also been linked with making a move for Rangers’ Greg Docherty.

And he added: “I was on the phone all Friday night regarding the targets I have got, I am hopeful but you never know.

“We are a way through getting one in, hopefully two. We definitely need a body in there for sure.

“Will and Matt have been great but I can’t expect them to play 46 games plus cup games and not get tired, injured, suspended or out of form.”