What Rotherham United boss Paul Warne said about the pursuit of Newcastle United star

Warne went on record earlier this week to say the club have made a bid to sign an unnamed midfielder and the boss would not confirm it was last year's loan star.

Barlaser was on a season-long loan from Newcastle and impressed during the shortened season, which ended in promotion.

The 23-year-old went back to the north east to fight for a place in Steve Bruce's side and has been involved in their pre-season campaign.

Whether he returns to the Millers will depend on whether he wins that fight.

“You'd be very surprised to know I do like Dan Barlaser, but as we speak at the moment he is still a Newcastle player,” Warne told the Star.

“I am led to believe he is competing to be in the squad this weekend so until I know anything different we can't proceed with anything.

“Even if we did bid for him I presume there would be a line of people bidding for him and I don't know if we'd be at the front.

“I haven't spoken to Dan, I haven't spoken to his agent, I am just watching this space.

“I don't like speaking about players at other clubs, but it is not the world's best kept secret that I really like Dan Barlaser.

“If I get a phone call off his agent or Newcastle saying he is available and asking if I want to speak to him then I will definitely speak to him.

“But at this moment in time, I'm trying to be sincere, if he stays and gets into the Newcastle squad I would be absolutely buzzing for him because I know that's what he wants to do.

“There could be a chance we could get him if it doesn't work out for him but at the moment it doesn't seem that close.”

The Millers will not have any new signings for Saturday's Championship opener at Wycombe, meaning Warne will go with what he has.

Mikel Miller will return to the squad after he was suspended for the League Cup tie at Salford last week while Matt Olosunde and Ben Wiles are fit again after injury.