Why striker Kyle Vassell rejected moves away from Rotherham United

Vassell has fallen down the pecking order at the Millers and currently finds himself fourth choice striker, not a good position to be in when the manager only plays with one.

The former Blackpool man has made just three appearances this season and has not featured in any of the last five matchday squads.

Warne insists his relationship with Vassell remains close and that his striker is working hard to get back into the team.

“I had a chat with him, the transfer window came and went, a couple of clubs showed interest in him but it wasn't something he wanted to do, he wanted to stay and fight for his place, which I am happy about,” Warne said.

“Me and Vass are very close, I am closer to him than 90 per cent of the dressing room so there is no issue with me and him.

“He knows how to get into my good books, he is the first one in training, training before the sessions start to get himself back into a position where he can have an affect on the squad.”

Warne says that Vassell has been a victim of his change of system, where the boss opted to go with one striker, which has invariably been Freddie Ladapo.

Michael Smith and George Hirst have been on the bench, so Warne has not wanted his substitutes' list to be top heavy.

“When we started the season, we started with two up and it made sense for me to have two strikers on the bench, I have played one up recently, so you don't need three strikers on the bench if you are playing one up front.

“He was probably the last in the pecking order, Hirsty has come in and looked bright, Smudge looked really good in the Championship last time and Freddie has had a good start.

“So it is not the fact that Vass hasn't done anything, it is the fact that we have one up front so we don't need three on the bench.”

The 27-year-old again looks set to miss out when the Millers play Luton on Wednesday.