The challenge has been issued by chairman Tony Stewart who, ironically, is still a supporter of tonight's Carling Cup opponents Sheffield Wednesday.

Sheffield-born Stewart owns a lighting company that sponsors the Hillsborough Kop, but has opted to save the club's neighbours from extinction this summer while the Geoff Sheard consortium prepares to take control at Hillsborough.

Some might say it is hardly surprising that the boss of a lighting company should help two football clubs emerge from darker days.

Stewart revealed his five-year plan for the Millers after manager Robins signed a new deal and led the club to victory against Lincoln City on the opening day of the new season.

The result lifted the Millers out of the League Two relegation zone – above Luton Town and Bournemouth who were also docked points this summer by the Football League. Now they are aiming to try to get in the promotion race. Stewart said: "I have got every faith in Mark Robins and I wanted him to have a deal that illustrated that confidence. I will be amazed if he doesn't do well in this job – the target is getting in the Championship in the next four or five years."

The Yorkshire Post can reveal that Stewart is willing to release funds for the Millers to make a move for former striker Richie Barker.

It is also understood that Sheard's consortium is ready to provide cash for Owls manager Brian Laws to spend on a replacement for Akpo Sodje.

Barker, who spent three years with the Millers under Ronnie Moore, was only a substitute for Hartlepool United last weekend and may be allowed to leave by manager Danny Wilson.

Owls striker Sodje suffered a serious knee injury after scoring twice in the Owls' opening day victory over Burnley and is due to visit a specialist today to discover the likely length of his absence.

With Sheard now finalising the purchase of a 30 per cent share in the club, the Owls will have no objections to the financial input. Indeed, far more is expected to be available for team strengtheining once the deal is completed.

Robins, who spent six months on loan with the Owls four years ago, would love to pull off a giant-killing at the expense of his former club even though the club's main priority is moving up the League.

Commenting on the club's challenge, Robins said: "I don't look at the league table, there is no point. We have got targets within our camp and we know what they are. It was important to get off to a winning start – due to the points deduction – but we know we are still up against it this season.

"I don't know about Sheffield Wednesday's financial situation," he admitted. "But we are definitely on the brink of something exciting again. We want to build something for the Rotherham people to be proud of. We will do things in the right way and we will put things in place that gives this club longevity. No longer can it be allowed to list from one near disaster to the next. "

Robins intends to play his part in keeping the club's finances firmly in check by only entertaining deals that the club can afford.

When asked about the move for Barker, he said: "I would like to strengthen, no doubt about that, we need greater competition for places. We are actively pursuing things but I would never do my business in public. Until we are given permission to speak to a player, it is disrespectful to speak about my targets."

Reflecting on his time with the Owls, Robins said: "I don't have any memories of my time at Hillsborough. My time there was really short and I had to finish my career playing there. I enjoyed it there – it's a good place to do well, but it is not a good place to do badly.

"We go there as the underdogs and all the expectations and pressure is on Sheffield Wednesday. We want to progress as far as we can in the competition and this is an opportunity for my players to make names for themselves."

The Millers are unlikely to risk summer signing Mark Burchill – another former Owls loanee – tonight as he is still recovering from toe and groin injuries.

Owls manager Brian Laws is likely to give a full debut to midfielder Jimmy Smith and a first start of the season to winger Etienne Esajas.

The Owls, meanwhile, have reported Championship rivals Plymouth Argyle to the Football League over an alleged illegal approach for defender Peter Gilbert.

A Plymouth spokesman said the club were aware of the complaint, but would not be making further comment until after a board meeting tomorrow.

Gilbert joined the Owls in January 2006 and was signed by Paul Sturrock who is now the manager of Plymouth.

Check the website tonight for updates from tonight's game, and for a full match report read Wednesday's Yorkshire Post.