Hyam adds another dimension, says Redfearn

The 24-year-old midfielder yesterday joined the Millers on loan until January from fellow Championship side Ipswich Town.

He has not played for 10 months following a serious knee injury, which needed surgery in the summer. But he is now fully-fit, and Mick McCarthy has allowed Hyam to join Rotherham to get first-team football.

“We are very fortunate to take Luke,” said Redfearn. “He is highly regarded by Ipswich Town, he is a player that is more than capable.

“I had a good chat with Mick McCarthy about him; they don’t want to let him go, but he needs first-team exposure.

“He has loaned him to us and he is coming into something that is strong, but he adds another dimension to us and also competition for places.

“He is under no uncertain terms that he needs to earn a shirt. But he is a very talented boy that comes with good Championship experience.

“He can play one or two positions; he can sit, he can play and get box-to-box but he is competitive and, where we are at the moment, we are scrapping for every point. He comes into something which he fits. and he’s a good fit for us. He’s match-fit, he has had two or three games in their Under-21s so he’s fit and available so obviously it’s important for us to measure where we are with him.

“I think what he will do is give us a strength to play a little bit differently.

“What Luke Hyam does is add to us. However we play, we have got combative people in there; that’s how we have got to be from now on.”

Rotherham have also extended the loan deal of Tottenham’s Grant Ward, which had been due to end yesterday. The 20-year-old midfielder will stay at the Millers until January.

On his way out of the New York Stadium before yesterday’s loan deadline was former Sheffield Wednesday striker Chris Maguire, who has signed for Oxford United. Greg Halford has also departed, joining Birmingham City until January.

The Owls have taken Liverpool youngster Will Marsh on a youth loan deal.