Dale Tonge back at Rotherham United in a 'voluntary' coaching role

Tonge played for the Millers over 150 times between 2007 and 2013 and was a former team-mate of Warne.

He has been out of work since he left Hearts last June, having followed German Daniel Stendel from Barnsley.

It was at Oakwell where Tonge stepped up from being the academy coach to assisting Stendel on the way to League One promotion in 2018/19.

Still only 35, Tonge is making his way in the game and Warne has been happy to give him an opportunity.

“I’ve always got on well with Tongey, unfortunately with the way football is, there are a lot of good people out of a job,” Warne said. “I always invite people in to watch us work and have a say.

“I’m close with him, so I told him if he thought there was anything he thought we could improve, then say it.

“I’m not above criticism, anything but, all I want is the best for the team.

“It was the perfect opportunity to get him out of the house, he came on a voluntary basis and I was really pleased with him.

“He’s really knowledgeable about the game, he’s a really good coach and he’s got a good history with the club, all those reasons were why I was happy for him to come in.”

Warne has received from promising news that four of his five long-term injuries could be back in training in the next couple of weeks.

Clark Robertson (foot), Shaun MacDonald (leg), Kieran Sadlier (ankle) and Chiedozie Ogbene (knee) are all nearing returns.

“Robbo was out there the other day on the grass, so he will join us next week and have a week training before the Derby game,” Warne added.

“It is too much to expect him to play in it, but whether he can travel, we will have a look at.

“It is the same with Shaun MacDonald, he will be training the week after Robbo. The week after we should get Kieran Sadlier back and then the week after that we could have Chieo back.

“So aside from Joe Mattock we should have all of our long-term injured players back. That is really positive news and will feel like we have new signings.

“They have been sorely missed and we are really looking forward to having them back with us.

“We see them everyday in the physio room and it is hard for them, so it will be great to get them out on the grass as well.”

Thank you for reading this article, one of dozens we publish every single day to provide you with the best, most up-to-date and most informative coverage of YOUR club. This depth of coverage costs, so to help us maintain the high-quality reporting that you are used to from the football team at The Star, please consider taking out a subscription to our sports-only package. You'll find all the details at https://www.thestar.co.uk/subscriptions/sports.

Your support is much appreciated.