Gunning for happy farewell in Wembley play-off

The 19-year-old defender, who turned down the opportunity of representing the Republic of Ireland Under-19s in Eastern Europe this week to play for the Millers at Wembley, has already informed Rotherham he will pursue his career at parent club Blackburn Rovers next season.

But before then the promising defender hopes to cap his stay in South Yorkshire by helping the club start their climb back up the divisions.

"It's a big way to sign off my time here," said Gunning, who has made 21 appearances for the Millers since joining from Ewood Park in January.

"It'd be brilliant for myself but also for the lads if I can help them finish the season by winning promotion at Wembley.

"I had a chance to play with Ireland Under-19s in the Ukraine, but deciced to stay with the Rotherham boys because I've not played at Wembley before and this will be the biggest game of my career.

"We're trying to focus on it as just a normal game but that's not been easy."

Gunning has watched developments at Ewood Park enviously as his fellow defensive prospect Phil Jones has progressed into the first team under Sam Allardyce.

He wants a piece of that next season, and hopes his sterling work at the Don Valley Stadium in the second half of the campaign has been noticed.

"I want to be at Blackburn, I've still got two years left, and hopefully I can follow the likes of Phil Jones into the Blackburn team," he said. "I've not spoken to Sam yet but I'm hoping to be involved a little more next season.

"My time here at Rotherham, which will hopefully be capped by a win at Wembley, and another loan spell at Tranmere that I had will stand me in good stead.

"It's been a good experience this season and I've learned a lot about football at this level."

And the future international believes Rotherham are well-equipped to compete in League One next season, should they defeat Dagenham and Redbridge in Sunday's play-off final.

"They'll probably need one or two signings, but as we showed in the semi-final against Aldershot, we can perform in the big games," he said.

"And keeping those clean sheets kept the pressure off the lads up front. We've just got to do the same on Sunday."