Keep off: Rotherham United boss Paul Warne still aiming to keep hold of prize asset Danny Ward

The Millers have rejected three bids for their top scorer – QPR are one of the clubs chasing the 25-year-old, while Sheffield Wednesday have also been linked – but Warne is in no rush to cash in on their prized asset.

Ward has netted 10 goals in 27 appearances this season for bottom-of-the-table Rotherham, who have a 12-month option on his contract when it expires in the summer.

To complicate matters, former club Huddersfield Town have a sell-on clause, meaning they will be due a portion of any transfer fee.

Caretaker manager Warne said the Millers had already rejected three bids under £2m for Ward, who returns to training today after a back injury ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Newcastle United.

“I have been made aware of a few bids, but they’re aren’t as big as £2m,” said Warne. “If a £2m bid had come in, it’s nowhere near enough anyway. It would be rejected.

“If anyone can tell me of a £2m striker I could get in who would come here and play the way Danny does, they’re better at football than I am.

“I spoke to Danny this morning. I’ve always been really honest with him. I think the world of him.

“I said to his face: ‘If you can leave my office and come back with anyone under £5m who you think is better than you, please do and I’ll sell you for the same figure.’

“As of yet, he hasn’t been back to me. I am aware that three clubs have put proper bids in, as I sit here this minute, and I’m aware that all three have been turned down.

“Huddersfield do have a sell-on. I’m not allowed to say what it is. We got him on a free transfer, which was obviously good business for the club.

“I said it to Wardy today, if an offer doesn’t come in that myself, the chairman and everybody on the board think is a proper offer, then he will be here to the end of the season.

“Unless a substantial pot of cash comes in for him, he isn’t going anywhere and he’ll be our player and hopefully a positive influence on us trying to stay up.”

The Millers yesterday signed Bristol City goalkeeper Richard O’Donnell for an undisclosed fee on a permanent deal until 2019.

Defender Kirk Broadfoot is a doubt tomorrow with a back injury.