Parkin loan offers Rovers striking alternative

Parkin has agreed to return to South Yorkshire nearly a decade after being released by hometown club Barnsley.

His arrival will be a major boost to Rovers who have picked up only one point from the first seven games and sit four points adrift at the bottom of the Championship table .

“I think sometimes we have lacked a bit of power and height and Jon has got both in abundance,” said Ryan. “But don’t forget he is a skilful player as well and I think he will be a good fit.”

Parkin, now 29, has been dubbed ‘The Beast’ at various clubs because of his hefty 6ft 3in frame.

He spent two years at York City after leaving Barnsley before moves to Macclesfield Town and Hull City helped him work his way back to the Championship.

Parkin helped Stoke City win promotion to the Premier League but never played in the top-flight and subsequently moved to Preston North End. He was sold to Cardiff for £100,000 eight months ago and scored two goals in 15 appearances before falling out of favour with new manager Malky Mackay.

Rovers have also confirmed that Chelsea striker Milan Lalkovic has agreed to return to the club for a second month on loan. The Slovakian, who is only 18, has made four appearances so far and impressed manager Sean O’Driscoll.

n Sheffield Wednesday striker Clinton Morrison has turned down the opportunity of a loan move to Swindon Town.

The League Two club are managed by former Owls striker Paolo Di Canio and need a new striker to replace Leon Clarke who joined Chesterfield after a bust-up with the Italian.

The Owls, meanwhile, are hoping to screen next month’s Steel City derby in hospitality areas at Hillsborough after selling out their allocation of 4,300 tickets for the game at Bramall Lane.

n Former Rotherham United midfielder Gary Roberts has been suspended by Port Vale for 14 days after a serious breach of club discipline.

Roberts, 24, is a recovering alcoholic who has spent time in the Sporting Chance clinic and was sacked by the Millers two seasons ago.

“He chose not to turn up (for training) or inform anyone he wasn’t coming in (on Sunday),” said Adams.

“What’s even worse is that he reported in unfit to carry out his duties on Monday.”

Roberts, who is Vale’s top scorer this season with five goals in 11 games, will miss games against Crewe and the Millers in the next fortnight.