Rotherham United boss Paul Warne on loan exit of Mickel Miller to Northampton
ROTHERHAM UNITED manager Paul Warne has stressed that winger Mickel Miller remains in his long-term plans despite sanctioning his loan move to League One outfit Northampton Town for the rest of the season.
Miller has struggled for game-time since joining the club from Scottish outfit Hamilton Academical last summer, with Warne having given him the green light to head south to gain some confidence after a difficult spell of late.
Warne said: "There has been a lot of interest from League One in a few of our players. Mickel's game-time has been reduced because we've had a change in system.
"Even when an opportunity has come on the left, I've put Trev (Trevor Clarke) on there or moved Wilesy (Ben Wiles) there.
"When I signed him in the summer, I knew the Championship would be a big step. He's definitely part of my plans. He does want to play.
"I saw him down in the dumps in training about three weeks ago. I pulled him into the office and had a good chat with him. I said: 'You've just got to keep your levels high in training.' He's a very good trainer.
"I could see a little bit of the spark had gone from his face. He was feeling he just wasn't going to get on the pitch. I get it. I don't want to see any of my players suffering. Unfortunately, some of them have to.
"He came to see me and said: 'Look, Gaffer, when the window opens if something does come up that you think is suitable for me would you consider it?' That's a nice way to ask a manager. I said I would.
"Northampton came forward. He really wanted to go and play. He knows we'll watch every minute he plays. One of my scouts is going to watch him against Oxford this weekend."