Letting Freddie Ladapo join Derby would have been 'football suicide': Paul Warne

The Millers fielded an enquiry from the Rams on deadline day regarding acquiring Ladapo on loan, but it was always something that Warne was never going to entertain.

Warne, whose side beat Derby 3-0 on Wednesday, says that the topic has not been discussed with the former Plymouth Argyle frontman, who has played second fiddle of late to the in-form duo of Michael Smith and Matt Crooks.

Warne said: "There has been no conversation. I didn't get told there was interest in Freddie until after the window was shut. I think it went to the head of recruitment.

"They obviously knew I had no appetite for it, why would I let one of my strikers go to a team around us in the table unless I could replace Freddie with a much better striker, that would be football suicide.

“I think the head of recruitment spoke to (assistant) Richie Barker because I was in a meeting and he said I wouldn't go for it. I haven't had a conversation with Freddie about it.

“Me and Freddie get on great, I did have a good chat with him, we didn't talk about it but it wasn't like it was the elephant in the room. Even his agent didn't think I would allow it to happen.

"It will probably be some we revisit in the summer. If Derby come knocking and it is something Freddie wants to do, it is not something I want to do. (But) I have said before with all of my players, once they don't want to be here, then I am responsible for their lives and happiness.

“If you have one player in the dressing room who is not happy then you have a problem in the dressing room. I don't think I have got that with Freddie, he just wants to play every week, they all do and at the highest level they can.

“There is no shame on Freddie's agent contacting us over a potential move. But at this moment in time it doesn't suit either party.