Rotherham United: Manager Paul Warne keen to get injured Freddie Ladapo back on the pitch

Ladapo has not featured for the Millers since October 8 due to a hamstring injury but has been an unused substitute in the last two games.

Eyebrows were raised on Saturday as Warne opted to leave his £400,000 signing on the bench as they chased the game against Wycombe, instead putting Carlton Morris was on.

The on-loan Norwich striker worked hard but was unable to make an impact as the Millers slipped to a frustrating 1-0 defeat.

Warne insisted there was nothing in that decision other than Morris being fresher than Ladapo.

“I just think that Freddie has been out with an injury and I just thought Carlton was a little bit more match ready,” Warne said.

“It was nothing more dramatic than that.

“If you watch the game back you will see me, Hammy and Rich talking about it. They have both got their strengths, in fairness Freddie is probably better playing off the shoulder of Smudge (Michael Smith).

“I just thought Carlton’s all-round game is different to Freddie’s, it isn’t anything more than that.

“I need to get Freddie back on the pitch quite obviously. I just thought Carlton was more match ready.”

Warne is predicting a bright future for his side, but admits they have still not fully gelled.

There was a large influx of players this summer and results in the opening quarter of the season have been patchy.

The Millers boss accused his men of naivety during the 1-0 loss to Wycombe.

“We just looked a young team, I’m not trying to be offensive to my group because I think they are really good,” he said.

“Hammy (coach Matt Hamshaw) said it to me in the dressing room, in a few month’s time this group could be amazing, but at the moment it’s just not clicking as well as we would like.”

The Millers are back on the road this weekend as they visit Gillingham, currently managed by former boss Steve Evans.

Warne was a fitness coach under Evans between 2012 and 2015.